New York State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa has ordered a new school board election in the Hempstead Union Free School District on Long Island after an internal investigation found the district clerk destroyed ballots and smuggled them out of her office to help re-elect incumbent board president Victor Prett.
The original election took place on May 19. State officials overturned the results on Thursday after a petition filed by the district’s attorneys alleged serious irregularities.
According to the state’s review, District Clerk April Keys is accused of tearing up ballots and removing them from her office in an apparent effort to benefit Prett, a former school board president who also works as a local DJ performing under the name DJ Vic-Lover.
The investigation concluded that Keys’ actions compromised the integrity of the vote.
Hempstead school district officials had petitioned the state to annul the original results after uncovering evidence of tampering.
State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa accepted the findings and directed that a fresh election be conducted under strict oversight.
The state has appointed Neil Boyd, currently superintendent for the Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES, as temporary clerk to manage the revote.
Hellbound and Down 