Attorney General Asks KnowThyNeighbor.org to Assist With Fraud; Assigns Civil Investigator

Manchester-by-the-Sea, October 3, 2005 - Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General Peter Sacks contacted KnowThyNeighbor.org today for assistance with fraud reporting related to signature collection for the initiative petition to end same-sex marriage.

All allegations of fraud must now be directed to a newly appointed Civil Investigator, Nicholas Paras. Mr. Paras will be scrutinizing the reports of bait-and-switch and other improprieties that have been streaming in to the AG's office through KnowThyNeighbor.org and other sources.

Peter Sacks has instructed KnowThyNeighbor.org to make the investigator's information available on its website as soon as possible and to provide the following information to all Massachusetts voters who believe that they have signed this petition in error (either due to fraud or mistake):

1. Immediately contact your Local Town/City Clerk or Registrar. You will have to appear in person with the proper identification. This must be the clerk for the town in which you are a registered voter.
2. Request that your name be removed from the petition. Document your request and ask if the actual petition that you signed has yet been presented to the Town Clerk. The timing of this request MUST be as near the time of signing as possible as the Town/City Clerk needs to stop the signed copy before it is verified and entered on the log. Attorney Sacks explained that the Town/City Clerks should understand this responsibility.
3. Document everything, including the reason why you believe that your name should be removed, whether or not your City/Town Clerk was able to delete your name, and if your City/Town Clerk was helpful or not responsive.  Copy this information for yourself and send documentation to:
   
   Nicholas Paras, Civil Investigator
   Attorney General's Office
   McCormack Building
   One Ashburton Place
   Boston, MA 02108
   (617) 727-2200 x2883
   [email protected]

Please all take note of this and continue to report any and all cases of fraud.  KnowThyNeighbor.org remains committed to assisting the public in its understanding of the initiative petition process.  KnowThyNeighbor.org applauds the Attorney General for assigning a Civil Investigator in respect to these very serious reports which are surfacing across our Commonwealth.  We will continue to assist his office as directed.

Tom Lang, Director