RALEIGH — A key subject in a North Carolina ballot fraud investigation was hospitalized Wednesday, his attorney said. It delayed his sentencing on largely unrelated federal crimes that he pleaded guilty to this summer.
[McCrae Dowless indicted on more charges in election fraud investigation]
Leslie McCrae Dowless Jr. was supposed to appear in a Raleigh courtroom Wednesday afternoon for his sentence on obtaining illegal Social Security benefits while concealing payments for political work he performed.
That hearing was rescheduled until next week.
Cynthia Singletary, a Dowless attorney, told WRAL-TV that Dowless was flown by helicopter from Bladen County Hospital to a Wilmington hospital Wednesday morning “under emergency conditions.” Singletary didn’t immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking more information.
Dowless still faces state charges involving balloting during the 2016 and 2018 elections.
A spokesperson for the Eastern District of NC US Attorney's Office says McCrae Dowless' sentencing for social security fraud will likely be postponed due to a medical issue. Sentencing is set for 2 pm. @NickOchsnerWBTV first reported Dowless had a stroke
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) August 25, 2021
Dowless had worked in 2017 and 2018 — the time in question for his federal charges — in part for 9th Congressional District candidate Mark Harris. Witnesses told state officials Dowless gathered absentee ballots from Bladen County voters with the help of his assistants.
Harris appeared to get the most votes in the November 2018 race, but the State Board of Elections ordered a new election.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report)
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