Businessman Again Accused of Vote Fraud by U.S. Jury
A Chatsworth businessman whose trial on election fraud charges ended in a deadlocked jury earlier this year was named this week in a new federal grand jury indictment in Los Angeles.
Michael Goland, 42, was accused of trying to help reelect Sen. Alan Cranston (D-Calif.) by illegally donating $150,000 to American Independent Party candidate Ed Vallen in hopes of drawing votes from Cranston’s 1986 Republican opponent, Ed Zschau.
At his first trial, prosecutors described Goland as an avid supporter of Israel who wanted Cranston to win because of the senator’s pro-Israel voting record. Goland’s lawyer blamed incompetent political consultants for causing Goland’s legal troubles.
Jurors deadlocked 11 to 1 in favor of Goland’s conviction in July.
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