MIAMI – Closing arguments were held in the trial for former Florida State Senator Frank Artiles, who is facing charges in an election conspiracy case.
Following instructions by the judge, jurors began deliberations just after 1 p.m. Monday.
Prosecutors have accused the Republican politician of spearheading a scheme made to confuse Florida Senate District 37 voters with a no-party “ghost candidate,” named Alex Rodríguez, running against then-Democratic incumbent, Florida Sen. Jose Javier Rodríguez and Republican candidate Ileana García.
Rodríguez ran in the election in exchange for $50,000. He testified that he was offered $25,000 before the election and another $25,000 to be paid out after.
Prosecutors allege Artiles committed felony campaign fraud while directing a ploy to confuse Florida voters who intended to choose the Democrat. They pointed to a string of business deals, such as the proposed sale of personal protective equipment that never panned out, saying the deals were just a cover.
Defense attorneys emphasized that supporting a ghost candidate is not illegal and that jurors should set aside their feelings about the scheme.
The defense said it was Rodriguez who lied and coerced Artiles to provide him with cash.