Barrios Attorney Denies Voter Fraud Charges

Former Parking Enforcement Director facing allegations in the 2025 Town Council election.

Fernando Barrios hasn't worked at Dover Town Hall for months. (Photo/DOVERNOW.com)

Former Dover Parking Enforcement Director Fernando Barrios is facing charges of “attempted election fraud through false voter registration” in the 2025 First Ward general election.

According to the investigation and a complaint filed by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of the Public Integrity & Accountability, Barrios allegedly “dropped off about 90 false, fictitious, or fraudulent voter registration forms” to the Morris County Board of Elections on September. 11, October 1, October 7, and October 14, 2025. The affidavit continues:

“THE REGISTRATION FORMS WERE SUBMITTED TO THE BOE FOR PROCESSING LEADING UP TO THE NOVEMBER 2025 DOVER 1ST WARD ELECTION. SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE FROM THE BOE SHOWS THE DEFENDANT DROPPING OFF THE FORMS. INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED WITH BOE STAFF, INDIVIDUALS LISTED ON THE REGISTRATION FORMS, AND INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE STATEWIDE VOTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM (SVRS) CONFIRM THE FORMS WERE FALSE, FICTITIOUS, OR FRAUDULENT. THE REGISTRATION FORMS WERE FALSE, FICTITIOUS, OR FRAUDULENT FOR VARIOUS REASONS, INCLUDING: THE INDIVIDUALS LISTED ON THE REGISTRATION FORMS DID NOT KNOW THE FORMS WERE BEING SUBMITTED ON THEIR BEHALF AND DID NOT GIVE PERMISSION FOR SAME, THE PERSONAL IDENTIFYING INFORMATION FOR THE INDIVIDUALS LISTED ON THE FORMS WERE INACCURATE, AND/OR THE SIGNATURES FOR THE INDIVIDUALS LISTED ON THE FORMS DID NOT MATCH THE SIGNATURES IN THE SVRS.”

New Jersey’s election fraud statute 19:34-1, is a third-degree offense, for which a conviction could result in a maximum of five years in state prison and a $15,000 fine. But Barrios is charged under subsection 19:34-1.1A(2), defined as “knowingly and willfully attempting to deprive and defraud residents of the state of New Jersey with a fair and impartially conducted election.” That elevated second-degree charge could lead to a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a $150,000 fine.

Officials from the Attorney General’s office refused to address any additional questions about the case, saying they can’t comment on active investigations.

A HOTLY CONTESTED RACE

During the June 2025 Democratic primary for four Town Council seats, candidates Daniella Mendez (Ward 1), Judith Rugg (Ward 2), and Chris Almada (Ward 3) defeated incumbents Claudia Toro, Sergio Rodriguez, and Michael Scarneo, respectively. Mendez narrowly defeated Toro, 179-165. The three incumbents were endorsed by Mayor James P. Dodd. Fourth Ward incumbent Atruro Santana ran unopposed.  

The incumbent losses led Mayor Dodd to create a “Rescue Dover” ticket of write-in candidates and Republican Maria Rosario for the general election. Toro ran as a write-in candidate to try to retain her First Ward spot. Barrios used Facebook and other social media channels to endorse the ticket.

Ultimately, Mendez, the former Dover Board of Education President, beat Toro, 580 to 164. Rugg (692 to 204) and Almada (697 to 359) also won handily. They and Santana were sworn in on January 1 during the Dover government reorganization. Less than two weeks later, on January 12, a team of investigators from the Attorney General’s office conducted a “criminal investigation” in the Blackwell Street offices of Toro Taxes, the business owned by Claudia Toro.

Shortly after, Barrios left his position at Town Hall. While his title and contact information were on the Dover municipal website until late this week, he’d been gone for some time. Dover Public Information Officer Jordan Ramirez said, “From what I can remember, Fernando has been gone since the beginning of February.”                                      When reached by phone,  the 33-year-old Barrios would not confirm when he resigned from his position as Dover Parking Enforcement Director. He said he left to focus on his business, RBM Maintenance, a Rockaway-based industrial cleaning company he’s been working at for 20 years.  Barrios referred all other inquiries about the case to his attorney, Anthony Iacullo, of Mandelbaum Barrett PC in Roseland.                        “Fernando Barrios has done nothing wrong and his actions were totally and completely appropriate and in accordance with the election laws in our state,” Iacullo said. “Mr. Barrios looks forward to the allegations being dismissed after he has the opportunity for this matter to be decided in a court of law.”