NYC GOP District Leader Nicole Torres charged with bribery, fraud and extortion

Greater Riverdale’s Democratic leaders said they were disappointed a leader of the Republican party would betray her own district’s trust.

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Nicole Torres, a Republican district leader for the 81st Assembly District, has been charged with multiple counts of bribery, fraud and extortion.

Torres, 43, has been with the New York City Board of Elections since 2016 and has served as a Republican district leader since 2019.

According to the indictment, unsealed Aug. 28, Torres allegedly participated in two illegal schemes. The first, beginning in 2019, involved asking Bronx residents to pay her around $150 to be selected as poll workers for upcoming elections. Torres is said to have collected payments from prospective poll workers several hundred times, accumulating a total of $28,000 in illegal payments.

In the second scheme, she is accused, along with unnamed co-conspirators, of falsifying time sheets for absent workers to claim their pay. By altering payee lines on checks, the salaries were allegedly redirected into Torres’ personal bank account and that of an unidentified local organization.

Poll workers in New York are selected differently than in most states. Residents can either apply through the New York City Board of Elections website or be recommended by a district leader, with the latter method given priority during elections.

Under this system, New York City’s board has previously received scrutiny over past leaders’ various abuses of power.

While there has been no statement on whether her co-conspirators will be charged, Torres, released on bond, currently faces decades in prison.

Attempts to reach Torres and her attorney for comment were unsuccessful at press time.

Greater Riverdale’s Democratic leaders, whose candidates dominate local elections, said they were distressed over how, if the allegations are proven true, a Bronx elected official could compromise the integrity of the political system. Though Torres is a Republican, some feared actions like hers could erode overall political trust with an already cynical public.

Abigail Martin, a Democratic district leader and member of the Unity Democratic Club, told The Press the methodology for putting people in positions like Torres’ is part of the problem.

“This is a perfect example if how easily corruption occurs when there are no elections for down-ballot positions, and, instead, people are placed in these roles by party bosses,” Martin said. “It is essential we hold our public servants to the highest standards to ensure out elections remain fair and transparent.”

Emily Hausman of the rival Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club said Torres’ alleged transgressions hurt the entire process. 

 “We need honest leaders who seek to serve the public and not take advantage of those looking for temporary work that serves an essential role in our election integrity,” Hausman said, “Nicole Torres is accused of committing these crimes against her fellow Republicans and, in turn, setting a terrible example for ensuring election integrity.”

Calling the allegations against Torres “deeply damaging to our community and our country,” Unity Dems president Betsey Knapp said vigilance is key.

“We must work tirelessly to ensure that such actions are never tolerated,” she said.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said he is particularly concerned with the impact Torres’ alleged crimes might have on poll workers, many of whom depend on the income from the work.

According to the indictment, poll workers can earn approximately $2,750 per election cycle if they work all nine days of early voting and Election Day.

Dinowitz said, while some poll workers may take up the job to exercise their civic duty, socialize or meet neighbors, “for a lot of people who do this, they actually do need the money,” adding the demographic of poll workers tends to skew older.

Traditionally, primaries are held in September, with the payout arriving shortly before the holiday season.

Dinowitz said he believes many of the affected poll workers may have felt compelled to pay $150 and participate in something they knew was corrupt out of financial desperation.

Torres unsuccessfully challenged Dinowitz in the 2020 election, garnering 16 percent of the vote, with Conservative Party candidate Alan Reed drawing just 3 percent.

Dinowitz said, to his knowledge, no similar allegations have ever surfaced regarding members of the greater Riverdale Democratic party.