Two Nevada residents, previously residing in Minnesota, face charges of conspiracy to commit voter registration fraud, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. The accused, Ronnie Williams and Lorraine Lee Combs, allegedly participated in a scheme to create fictitious names for voter registration applications in Minnesota from 2021 through 2022.
“Election fraud strikes at the heart of our democracy,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Thankfully, the FBI stopped this fraud in its tracks, before anyone successfully cast a fraudulent ballot. But we will stay vigilant. Whether it’s jury bribery, witness tampering, or now election fraud—crimes that threaten our democracy have no place in Minnesota.”
Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis emphasized the importance of secure elections: “Nothing is more central to our democracy than fair and impartially conducted elections…the FBI will stop at nothing to identify and bring to justice anyone who threatens the security of our electoral system.”
Court documents reveal that Williams submitted the fraudulent registrations to Foundation 1, which then forwarded them to county election offices across Minnesota. Williams received payment from Foundation 1 and shared it with Combs.
Williams is scheduled for an arraignment and change of plea hearing on July 8, 2025.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from various entities including the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section and local Minnesota authorities.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry M. Jacobs and Trial Attorney Jonathan Jacobson are prosecuting the case.
