Rodriguez Ortiz, Omar

From: Public Information Office <Info@fdle.state.fl.us>

Sent: Sunday, February 7, 2021 9:13 AM
To: Rodriguez Ortiz, Omar
Cc: Plessinger, Gretl
Subject: RE: Victor N. Ríos arrested on Marco Island case - need more information

Good morning,
Please see release below:

NEWS RELEASE
Former Marco Island city councilman charged for forgery and
criminal use of personal identification information

For Immediate Release

February 7, 2021

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. –Victor N. Rios, 78, of Marco Island, turned himself in Friday on three counts of forgery
of a ballot envelope and three counts of criminal use of personal identification information.

The investigation began after the March 22, 2019 election of the Belize Condominium Association. After the
results of the election were announced, it appeared that several residents who were purported to have voted in the
election did not vote, and their signatures on the outer ballot envelopes were forgeries. A resident filed a complaint
with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations, Division of Florida Condominiums,
Timeshares and Mobile Homes alleging that Rios, the president of the board, committed election fraud and forgery
to ensure that he remained on it. After reviewing the complaint, the allegation was forwarded to the Marco Island
Police Department as forgery is a third-degree felony. The police department reviewed the allegations and asked
FDLE to investigate, since Rios was a sitting city councilman of Marco Island.

The investigation found that several residents had ballots cast in their names, which they did not authorize and
were unaware of. Ballot envelopes contained the personal identification information of the victims, including
their names, condo numbers, and forged signatures. FDLE lab analysis of envelopes discovered a DNA profile
which matched the DNA profile of Rios.

Rios turned himself into the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Department of Corrections on February 5 and has since
been released upon posting a $30,000 bond. The case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, 20th
Judicial Circuit.

For Further Information Contact:

FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001