A former Los Angeles prosecutor has shed light on the puzzling dismissal of criminal charges against an election software company, raising questions about the motivations behind the decision by District Attorney George Gascon.
Eric Neff, the deputy prosecutor who initially led the investigation into Konnech Corporation, has filed a claim for damages against Los Angeles County. In the claim, Neff provides a detailed account of the events surrounding the case, which alleges that Konnech’s election worker management software, PollChief, sent data to China, potentially compromising sensitive information.
According to Neff, after recovering “explosive evidence” indicating Konnech’s deception regarding its practices with poll worker data, a criminal complaint was approved by top prosecutors, including Chief Deputy District Attorney Sharon Woo. However, after the case drew attention from conservative figures, including former President Donald Trump, Gascon’s office abruptly ordered the dismissal of the charges.
Neff claims that he registered his objection to the dismissal, citing California law that prohibits prosecutors from using political gains as a basis for dropping a prosecution. Two days later, he was placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.
Gascon’s office initially claimed the dismissal was due to concerns about the pace of the investigation and potential bias in the presentation of evidence. However, more than a year later, Neff was informed that the investigation into his conduct had been completed, and no disciplinary action would be taken against him, despite being reassigned to a less desirable position.
The former prosecutor’s account raises questions about the “official story” provided by Gascon’s office, as well as the decision to pay Konnech’s CEO, Eugene Yu, a $5 million settlement, despite the initial charges being brought against him.
Neff alleges that evidence suggested Konnech’s practices were “even worse than initially feared,” with sensitive poll worker data being sent to Chinese-owned contractors through messaging applications. However, Gascon’s office has remained silent on the specific facts that led to the dismissal and the subsequent settlement.
As the case continues to unfold, concerns are mounting about the potential political influences and motivations behind the handling of the charges against Konnech, and the implications for the integrity of election processes.
