Lodi City Councilmember Shakir Khan was arrested Thursday on suspicion of a series of crimes stemming from the 2020 election. The District 4 councilman is facing felony charges for filing a false declaration, registration of fictitious person, making or defacing a nomination paper, voter registration violation, and voting or attempting to vote more than once.
According to San Joaquin County Sheriff’s officials, 41 sealed and completed mail-in ballots were discovered at Khan’s residence. Around 23 names were registered to vote at his address and 47 names linked to Khan’s email address and phone number were registered to vote elsewhere.
Multiple individuals who spoke with the sheriff’s office have also alleged that Khan pressured them to vote for him or personally signed their ballots for them. Some of the votes cast for Khan came from people living outside Lodi and even outside of the country, officials said.
Now for the kicker. According to the sheriff’s office, after Khan caught wind of the investigation, he posted a social media video in Urdu. It advised people to “say that you filled out your ballot if you are questioned.”
“The City takes challenges to electoral integrity seriously and is consulting with legal counsel to determine our next steps,” Lodi officials said in a statement. “The San Joaquin County Registrar Of Voters and the California Secretary of State are responsible for conducting fair, impartial, accurate, secure, and transparent federal, state and local elections.”
Mayor Mikey Hothi said Friday that Khan had resigned from the dais. Khan’s lawyer later denied that, calling the mayor’s announcement “premature.” The councilman says he has not resigned.
These aren’t the only criminal allegations Khan is facing. He was previously arrested on charges related to an illegal gambling business allegedly run by him and his two brothers. He’s due to appear in court in that case Tuesday, Feb. 21.