A judge has found Georgia Republican Party official Brian Pritchard guilty of illegally voting nine times over several years while on probation for forgery and other felonies. Administrative Law Judge Lisa Boggs determined that Pritchard’s explanations for his actions were not credible or convincing. As a result, Pritchard must pay a fine of $5,000 and cover investigative costs incurred by the court, as well as be publicly reprimanded by the State Election Board. Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has called for Pritchard’s resignation or removal from his position within the Georgia GOP due to his illegal voting history while on probation for a felony.
Pritchard, a conservative talk show host, has falsely asserted that Democrats stole the 2020 election through fraud, echoing former President Donald Trump’s claims. However, investigations have consistently found no evidence of mass fraud in the 2020 election. In her ruling, Judge Boggs cited certified records showing Pritchard pleaded guilty to felony fraud and theft involving forged checks in 1996 and was ordered to pay restitution. Despite being ineligible to vote as a felon until completing probation or parole, Pritchard registered to vote in 2008 and voted in nine elections between then and 2010.
During an evidentiary hearing, Pritchard claimed he did not knowingly commit fraud and believed his felony status had ended more than two decades ago. However, Judge Boggs found Pritchard’s explanations lacking in credibility, stating that based on his experience as a businessman, he should have known about the terms of his probation. Pritchard was fined $5,000 for each of the nine illegal votes and an additional $500 for illegally registering to vote in 2008. He has the option to appeal the decision, but neither Pritchard nor his lawyer were available for immediate comment.
Pritchard defiantly denied any wrongdoing when he qualified to run in a special election in December 2022, stating that his sentence had ended long ago and his rights had been restored. Despite his assertions, Pritchard’s voting record while on probation has been called into question by critics within the Republican Party. Former Georgia GOP vice chairman Jason Shepherd criticized Pritchard’s hypocrisy, noting that while he has gained popularity by spreading conspiracy theories about election fraud, he has been found guilty of committing voter fraud himself. Shepherd called for Pritchard’s resignation and raised concerns about the credibility of the Georgia Republican Party under his leadership.
