Seven Suspects Arrested In NC-9 Ballot Probe

Seven people connected to voting irregularities in Bladen County are expected to appear in court Monday. The charges are the result of an investigation that led to overturning the results of the Ninth District congressional race.

All seven defendants turned themselves in this week after a grand jury returned indictments on charges including conspiracy to obstruct justice and illegal possession of absentee ballots, the State Bureau of Investigation says.  

Those charged include Leslie McCrae Dowless, the political operative who worked on behalf of Republican Mark Harris' campaign. He faces obstruction and perjury charges, among other counts.

Also charged is Lisa Britt, who worked for Dowless and testified during the state's hearing on the ballot irregularities. Her charges include voting as a felon.

Harris appeared to have narrowly won the Ninth District race before questions about absentee ballots arose. He had asked to be seated in Congress as the investigation moved forward.

Ultimately those results were tossed and Harris was never seated. Harris opted against running for the seat again in the new election. His former Democratic challenger, Dan McCready, faces Republican primary winner Dan Bishop.