A former NYC Board of Elections employee and Republican district leader for the 81st Assembly District pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday, April 17, to conspiracy to commit extortion and mail fraud — charges that could carry up to 40 years in prison.
“For five years, Nicole Torres abused her position of public trust as an elected official and City employee by taking bribes and falsifying records in connection with the selection and placement of poll workers in the Bronx,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky in a statement. “Today’s plea highlights this Office’s commitment to rooting out corruption in local government, and to protecting the integrity of poll workers and our elections.”
Nicole Torres, 44, allegedly used her position to operate two illegal schemes targeting current and prospective poll workers in the Bronx. The Bronx Times contacted Torres’ attorney but did not receive a response by press time.
Federal prosecutors said Torres demanded illegal payments, typically $150, from Bronx residents seeking poll worker jobs. The payments were either pocketed by Torres or funneled through an unnamed Bronx organization. In some cases, checks or money orders made out to the organization were allegedly altered so that Torres could cash them herself.
In a separate scheme, Torres — while employed by the NYC Board of Elections — was accused of falsifying work records, reporting that individuals worked on specific days when they had not. She and co-conspirators then collected salaries intended for those no-show workers, committing identity theft and mail fraud in the process, according to court filings.
Authorities said Torres personally profited at least $64,000 through both schemes. Under the terms of her plea agreement, she has agreed to forfeit nearly $41,000 and pay $150,000 in restitution. Sentencing is scheduled for July 8.
Reach Emily Swanson at eswanson@schnepsmedia.com or (646) 717-0015. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes
