Sterling Heights man accused of election fraud rejects plea deal

A man accused of submitting fraudulent absentee ballot applications in a Sterling Heights election has initially rejected a plea deal in his criminal case.

Paul Manni, 28, an unsuccessful candidate in the November 2021 city election, on Tuesday turned down a deal to plead guilty to one felony count of election fraud in exchange for dismissal of 11 other counts, and a promise of no incarceration and a $500 fine.

“At this point, we are declining the offer,” Manni’s attorney, Michael Balian, told Judge Edward Servitto during a hearing in Macomb County Circuit Court in Mount Clemens.

The proposed deal falls short of Manni’s desire to resolve the case without a felony so he can pursue a career as a mortician.

The offer made by Assistant Attorney General Mike Frezza will be revoked if Manni does not accept it at a Sept. 27 pretrial hearing, Frezza said. The case would then go to trial.

Servitto scheduled a Jan. 30 trial, preceded by a final pretrial of Jan. 25.

“If we start this trial, make sure you are ready to go,” Servitto told attorneys.

The case had been scheduled for a trial to start Tuesday but that proceeding was converted to a pretrial after the original assistant attorney general in the case went on extended leave due to health issues.

The alleged fraud was discovered a few days before the election when city Clerk Melanie Ryska became suspicious after Manni personally dropped off approximately 50 absentee voter applications with his signature while indicating he was delivering them at the voters’ request, according to state officials.

Each of nine people who were contacted by Ryska’s staff said they did not seek to apply for an absentee ballot, according to the AG’s office.

Ryska contacted the Bureau of Elections of the suspected fraud and the case eventually went to the AG’s office. He was charged last August.

None of the applications turned in by Manni resulted in a valid ballot being delivered to the voter. Manni finished eighth in the contest for six council seats.