Italian Alien Charged With Voting in 2024 General Election and Lying About It

TAMPA, Fla. -U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided critical assistance in the investigation that led to a federal indictment charging Andrea Catanese, 60, an Italian national, with voting by an alien, attempting to unlawfully procure naturalization, and making a false statement in connection with naturalization. If convicted on all counts, Catanese faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. U. S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to the indictment, Catanese voted in the 2024 general election despite not being a U.S. citizen. The indictment further alleges that Catanese later falsely stated on a Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, that he had never voted in a federal election and repeated that false statement to a USCIS official reviewing the application.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from USCIS and the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections. It will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark E. Andreu.

To report suspected immigration benefit fraud or abuse to USCIS, please use the USCIS Tip Form.

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