Someone has accused a temporary election worker within Maricopa County of stealing a fob that facilitates access to voting tabulation devices.
Election authorities discovered a missing security fob and keys on a lanyard at the Maricopa County Election Center. Following an examination of security footage, investigators found that 27-year-old Walter Ringfield Jr., a temporary elections worker, had taken the lanyard, fob, and keys somewhere around 5 p.m. the day before and placed them in his shorts pocket.
He consented to a diversion program, which led to the prosecution’s suspension. Because there was no conviction, his background check did not uncover the case.
After that, authorities questioned Ringfield about the objects. He initially denied removing anything, but he then said that whatever he inadvertently took would be in his car. He quickly checked his car and found the missing lanyard, but not the fob.
Ringfield further asserted that he returned anything he might have taken in about twenty minutes. Subsequently, using a search warrant, the officers entered Ringfield’s residence and purportedly discovered the lost key in the master bedroom.
After working at the facility since June 3, Ringfield allegedly acknowledged taking the goods to “clean up.” The police report stated, “Walter indicated the job was temporary and he was attempting to make it permanent, so he wished to clean up,” but it did not elaborate on what exactly meant “clean up.”
To access the tabulation machines, you need both the password and the fob. A representative for the elections department, Jennifer Liewer, stated, “Election workers are checking the accuracy of all equipment to assure the integrity of Maricopa County Elections.” Taxpayers will be responsible for covering the estimated $19,000 cost of the reprogramming process, according to officials.
The Office of the Arizona Secretary of State released a statement that read, “While this event is undesired, it speaks to the security effectiveness mechanisms established into Arizona’s voting infrastructure.”
Following his detention, Ringfield faced charges of misdemeanor theft and felony criminal damage. He does not have a set bail.
Law enforcement is likewise no stranger to Ringfield. He allegedly stole over $1,000 in cash from Fry’s Food and Drug in October, leading to charges of felony theft. He consented to a diversion program, which led to the prosecution’s suspension. His background check did not reveal that case because there was no conviction, according to a spokesman for the elections department.
