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Ex-judge, 3 Others Sentenced In Vote Fraud Case

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A former judge and three other officials in eastern Kentucky have been sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to charges alleging widespread vote fraud.

A federal judge said during a sentencing hearing on Tuesday that three of the defendants – former Clay County Circuit Judge R. Cletus Maricle, former school superintendent Doug Adams and former election officer William Stivers – must serve 100 days of home incarceration.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports they were also place on supervised release for two years, along with the fourth defendant, former county clerk Freddy W. Thompson.

Prosecutors said the men used the Clay County Board of Elections to buy or steal votes in 2002, 2004 and 2006.

U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell described their actions as "nothing short of despicable."