Former Florida Senator Frank Artiles Convicted in 2020 'Ghost Candidate' Election Scheme

Oct 1, 2024, 12:12 AM

After a trial lasting more than two weeks, former Florida State Senator Frank Artiles was found guilty by a Miami-Dade County jury of charges related to a 'ghost candidate' scheme during the 2020 Florida Senate race. Artiles, a Republican and ex-Marine who has more recently worked as a lobbyist and consultant, was convicted of three of four charges, including making campaign contributions in excess of $1,000, conspiring to make campaign contributions over $1,000, and procuring the falsification of a candidate oath form. The scheme involved shill candidates and violated campaign finance and voter registration laws.