The trial for Gaea Powell, a former candidate for San Luis Obispo county clerk-recorder, begins today.
Powell is charged with nine counts of election and voter fraud, related to issues regarding her residency in Arroyo Grande for her mayoral campaigns.
In order to qualify for mayor, candidates must live within the city, and the DA’s office alleges Powell lived at an address outside the city limits, and registered to vote and run for a different condo inside city limits. Other charges allege she failed to properly report income and campaign expenditures.
She is acting as her own attorney, and faces 8 years and seven months in prison if convicted.
