Exclusive: Federal Grand Jury Meeting on Hartford Ballot Fraud.

A federal grand jury is hearing testimony on absentee ballot fraud in Hartford, Daily Ructions can report. The investigation has included teams of federal agents recently hitting the streets of the state’s capital city to interview local Democrats.

The investigation arises out of events alleged to have occurred in elections that took place before this month’s gubernatorial contest and may involve a course of conduct during more than one campaign. Absentee ballot fraud almost never involves one person acting alone. According to a lawyer, working as a defense attorney, it is a crime that lends itself to conspiracies, giving investigators a host of players to interview and squeeze.

The role of veteran state Representative Minnie Gonzalez (D-Hartford) in gathering absentee ballots has been included in investigators’ questions. Gonzalez, whose online official biography notes that she has endured many adversities, faced a primary challenge this past summer for the Democratic nomination for a 12th term in the House. She defeated newcomer Gannon Long 1118-487. Gonzalez won the absentee ballots 271-34, according to a Courant report. Gonzalez was fined by the State Elections Enforcement Commission for violations of absentee ballot laws in a 2006 incident.

Gonzalez was an important ally to her colleague Attorney General-elect William Tong in his fight for the Democratic nomination this year at both the state party convention and in the August primary.

Those who fall under the gaze of investigators will want to be mindful that it is a crime to give false statement to an FBI agent.