Minnesota State Wire

Two Nevada residents have been charged with conspiracy to engage in voter registration fraud in Minnesota, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. The accused, Ronnie Williams and Lorraine Lee Combs, are alleged to have created fictitious names and information for voter registration applications in Minnesota.

"Election fraud strikes at the heart of our democracy," said Acting U.S. Attorney Thompson. "Thankfully, the FBI stopped this fraud in its tracks before anyone successfully cast a fraudulent ballot. But we will stay vigilant."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation into this case. Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis stated, "Nothing is more central to our democracy than fair and impartially conducted elections." He added that Combs and Williams attempted to undermine Minnesota's electoral process.

Court documents reveal that from 2021 through 2022, Williams and Combs filled out false voter registration forms and certified them despite knowing it was a felony offense punishable by up to five years imprisonment or a $10,000 fine.

Williams allegedly submitted these forms to Foundation 1, an organization involved in registering voters in Minnesota. The foundation unknowingly forwarded the fraudulent applications to county election offices statewide. Williams received payment for these registrations from Foundation 1 and shared the proceeds with Combs.

Williams is set for an arraignment and change of plea hearing on July 8, 2025, before U.S. District Court Judge Laura M. Provinzino.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI with support from the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section, Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, and Carver County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry M. Jacobs and Trial Attorney Jonathan Jacobson are prosecuting this case.