Summer trial set for N. Carolina ballot probe defendant

RALEIGH, N.C. — A North Carolina judge on Monday set a trial date next summer for a political operative accused of ballot fraud dating to 2016, including a 2018 congressional election whose results ultimately got tossed out. Leslie McCrae Dowless Jr. appeared in Wake County court, where he faces 13 criminal counts related to activities from the 2016 and 2018 elections, including charges of obstruction of justice, possessing absentee ballots and perjury. After that date, Gregory told Dowless, he risked substantial prison time if he were to be convicted at trial, adding, “Your exposure is significant.” Freeman said after the hearing attended by Dowless and his lawyer that he would have had to plead guilty to 12 of the 13 charges in accepting the plea offer. Freeman said that while her office is mindful of Dowless’ health, she said it’s important that the case advance because the “state has a compelling interest in this and in voter integrity and election integrity,” noting that it dates to the 2016 election cycle.