He had 41 ballots, registered 23 people at his home and his email and phone number were used to register 47 others.
You may remember former Councilman Shakir Khan from his inspiring life story.
When Shakir Khan immigrated to Lodi from Pakistan 23 years ago, he spoke no English. He and his family moved into a one-bedroom apartment on Lodi’s eastside. His father stayed behind to tend the family farm before traveling to America several years later. Khan began school at Washington Elementary on Lockeford Street, but he says he was bullied there by other kids because he didn’t speak English.
As a young man growing up in Lodi, Khan says he became concerned that the local Pakistani community, mostly located on the city’s eastside, was under-represented at City Hall. He also noticed that members of his community weren’t politically active. Indeed, many Pakistani people he knew had never voted in their life
You’ll never guess where the story goes from there…
He filed to run for Lodi City Council In 2020, and he won by 282 votes, defeating three opponents, including the incumbent. To many it was a surprising victory because a week before Election Day Khan was arrested by the San Joaquin County Sheriff, accused of owning and operating an illegal gambling casino in Stockton, money laundering, tax evasion, and Economic Employment Development (EDD) fraud. It would take at least a year for the district attorney to press charges. In the meantime, Khan would be sworn in and serve two relatively productive years representing District 4.
How did Khan win that election? By way of the usual thing that never happens.
Shakir Khan, the former Lodi city council member who was at the center of an election fraud case, has been sentenced to serve time in jail, a release from the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office read.
Khan, in January 2024, took a no-contest deal for stashing 41 ballots at his home for the 2020 election. Investigators also found that he had registered 23 people at his home and that his email and phone number had been used to register 47 others.
He originally faced a possible 40-year state prison sentence, but his plea deal reduced his sentence. He will spend three years in county jail, with the third year suspended and served under mandatory supervision.
Don’t worry, he’ll get out and run again.
In response to an inquiry from ABC10, Khan provided the following statement:
“I am grateful for the hard work of my attorney and the court’s decision allowing me to remain out of custody while I work to fulfill restitution and support my family. This has been a long and transformative journey, during which I have deeply reflected on what truly matters—my loved ones and my responsibilities. I am prepared to put this chapter behind me and move forward with integrity.”
Why do we have mass migration from Pakistan again?
