Springfield, Massachusetts mayoral candidate Justin Hurst has denied allegations that his campaign paid residents for their votes during early voting. These claims surfaced after surveillance footage allegedly showed payments made outside City Hall's polling place according to WBUR.
These allegations lead City Solicitor John Payne to request an investigation from the Hampden District Attorney's office, and open the doors, to any other law enforcement agencies wanting to investigate as reported by WBUR.
Accusing incumbent Mayor Domenic Sarno and city workers of a politically motivated attack, Hurst has been vocal about his belief that these allegations are an attempt to undermine his campaign ahead of the nearing election as per the Boston Globe.
The controversial footage features a Hurst campaign volunteer, Gilfrey T. Gregory. In their affidavits, city employees claim it shows multiple people who used a local homeless shelter as their address while registering to vote. These people allegedly seemed incoherent and possibly under the influence when inquiring about receiving $10 payments according to the Boston Globe.
Responding to these allegations, Secretary of State William Galvin has described them as "certainly concerning" and warranting an additional investigation. His office has already reached out law enforcement to safeguard the integrity of the election process as mentioned by WBUR.
