Well, Bridgeport

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GreenwichWise reports that there’s been an incident (one of many, I’m sure) of ballot fraud in the Circus City. The details are so damning that the accused’s lawyer is certain to pull out that defense lawyers cliche used when representing truly guilty clients caught standing over their murder victim, bloody knife in hand: “My client looks forward to his day in court, where we will establish his innocence.” That’s usually followed by a plea bargain, of course, and that day in court never happens. Not that this latest miscreant murdered anyone, that we know of, but the “looking forward to his day in court” line is a standard phrase imbibed by every defense lawyer in his mother’s milk.

In any event, here’s GreenwichWise:

Former Democratic State Senator Dennis A. Bradley Jr. was arrested in connection with a state investigation into Bridgeport’s August 2026 Democratic primary. The primary featured a contested race for Judge of Probate between incumbent Paul Ganim and challenger Mark Bradley—Dennis Bradley's brother.

Charges of Absentee Ballot Fraud

Chief State's Attorney Patrick J. Griffin announced that Bradley was charged with (1) Two counts of Illegal Possession of Absentee Ballots and Envelopes, and (2) Being Present When an Absentee Ballot Applicant Executes an Absentee Ballot.

According to the arrest warrant, the investigation began after a resident lodged a complaint with local police and the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC). Prosecutors allege that Bradley entered a voter's apartment, opened her previously completed absentee ballot, and instructed her on how to alter her vote from Paul Ganim to Mark Bradley. Video footage captured inside the residence was provided to authorities as part of the evidence.

Bradley's legal counsel has stated that Bradley maintains his innocence and denies all charges. This state arrest follows a separate federal case earlier in the year, in which Bradley was convicted on federal wire fraud charges stemming from misuse of public campaign financing funds during his 2018 state senate campaign.

Commenting on the allegations, Greenwich Registrar of Voters Fred DeCaro highlighted the seriousness of the breach: "Imagine someone coming into your house and opening your ballot."

Of course we can, Fred, where've you been?

Didding a little deeper into that reference to Mr. Bradley’s prior conviction, we found these details in CT News Junkie:

Former CT State Senator, Convicted Of Fraud

In March, Bradley was found guilty of conspiring to defraud the state’s program for publicly funding political campaigns during his 2018 run for office.  A federal jury in New Haven convicted him on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and five counts of wire fraud, although a judge later dropped three of the wire fraud counts.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on the fraud convictions Dec. 3.

But here’s the fun part: Bradley is running against the incumbent Probate Judge, Paul Ganim, brother of Joe Ganim. You remember Joe, don’t you?

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim was convicted in March 2003 on 16 federal corruption charges after a two-month trial. [1, 2]

  • Date of Verdict: March 19, 2003

  • Charges (16 counts): Racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, extortion, mail fraud, bribery, conspiracy, and filing false income tax returns.

  • The Scheme: A six-year operation where Ganim and aides (including Paul Pinto and Leonard Grimaldi) shook down city contractors, soliciting and receiving more than $500,000 in cash, meals, entertainment, merchandise, home improvements, and professional services.

  • Prison Sentence: Sentenced to 9 years in prison on July 1, 2003.

  • Time Served: Released in 2010 after serving nearly seven years (partially reduced for completing a drug treatment program).

  • Financial Penalties: Ordered to pay a $150,000 fine and $148,617 in restitution.

Naturally, because Bridgeport’s citizens are just as loyal to ex-con mayors as those in D.C., who returned Marion Barry to his rightful position as Mayor after his release from prison, Ol’ Fightin’ Joe came back:

2015 Return: Ganim ran for mayor again in 2015, apologizing for his past actions and campaigning on the message that everyone deserves a second chance. He won the Democratic primary and the general election with nearly 60% of the vote.

  • Reelections: He won subsequent reelections in 2019 and again won the Democratic primary for another term in September 2023, continuing to lead Connecticut's largest city.

And then, and here’s the ironic part, “Incumbent Mayor Joe Ganim won re-election in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on February 27, 2024, securing another four-year term.”

The race concluded after a court-ordered do-over election following an absentee ballot scandal that invalidated the initial September 2023 primary and subsequent elections.

Now, it’s certainly possible that Joe’s brother Paul, who’s won every election for Probate Judge since 1999, had nothing to do with all this — hell, maybe they don’t even speak to eaach other, I don’t know, but one soon-to-be convicted felon competing against the brother of an already-convicted felon entangled in ballot fraud scandals of his own is cause of a chuckle, perhaps even a hearty guffaw.