Aidan Rowan accused of ballot fraud in Stony Point
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Rockland County GOP committeeman Aidan Rowan, 25, turned himself in on 12 felony ballot-fraud charges.
The case goes to a special prosecutor after the county DA recused himself.
Background
Aidan Rowan, 25, of Stony Point, is a member of the Rockland County Republicans Executive Committee, chair of the Rockland Young Republicans, operator of a political consulting firm and a candidate in the June 23 primary for a local committee seat; he was a district intern for Rep. Mike Lawler in 2023. The investigation began after a complaint from both commissioners of the Rockland County Board of Elections about a ballot filed in that June 23 Stony Point town GOP committee primary. Sheriff Louis Falco said investigators found no evidence implicating any other individual, candidate, campaign or elected official.
How it unfolded
- Jun 15, 2026A felony complaint alleges Rowan submitted a forged ballot.
- Jun 23, 2026The Stony Point town GOP committee primary election is held.
- Jul–Aug 2026Four people tell police in written depositions that ballot applications in their name were not completed by them.
- Oct 23, 2026Officials issue an arrest warrant for Rowan after unsuccessful attempts to locate him.
- Nov 4, 2026Rowan turns himself in to the Rockland County Sheriff's Office and is arraigned in Clarkstown Town Court, facing 12 felony charges; he is released on his own recognizance.
- Nov 5, 2026Reports say the case is being turned over to a special prosecutor after the Rockland DA recused himself.
Key terms
- committeeman
- A member of a political party committee that raises and spends money for campaigning.
- special prosecutor
- A lawyer appointed to investigate and possibly prosecute a case where the usual prosecutor has a conflict of interest.
- recused himself
- A judge or official steps aside from a case due to potential bias or conflict of interest.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Sheriff Louis Falco said the probe followed the evidence and that no one of any party or position influenced when it began, how it was conducted or its outcome.
- Campaign
- Supervisor George Hoehmann's campaign said Rowan was paid temporarily to knock on doors and put up signs, had no formal contract or title, and that the allegations have nothing to do with his previous engagement or with Clarkstown elections.
- Caution
- The sheriff noted the accused may contest the charges and have his day in court.
Still unverified
It is unclear whether Rowan submitted the alleged forged ballot with a vote for himself.