A New Orleans-based political operative is facing more than 20 criminal charges and a $6 million federal fine in connection to AI-generated robocalls that urged New Hampshire Democrats to skip the state’s presidential primary.
The robocall imitated President Joe Biden’s voice and reached thousands of New Hampshire homes just before the Jan. 23 primary, urging them to “save your vote for the November election.” . It’s unclear exactly how many New Hampshire residents received the phone message, but court records list 13 residents as recipients of the call.
Grand juries in Belknap, Rockingham, Merrimack and Rockingham counties handed down indictments this month, which the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office released Thursday.
They allege that 54-year-old Stephen Kramer sought to suppress votes and impersonated political candidates when coordinating robocalls. In total, he faces 26 charges, including 13 felonies. He is scheduled to be arraigned June 5 in Belknap Superior Court. He is scheduled for three more arraignments in other jurisdictions later this month.
Kramer did not respond to a request for comment Thursday morning. The lawsuit documents also do not yet list an attorney. He has previously acknowledged making the robocalls, telling the media that he hopes they serve as a warning about the dangers of unregulated artificial intelligence.
In addition to the local charges, the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday is seeking a $6 million fine against Mr. Cramer for making the calls appear to be from prominent New Hampshire Democrats. announced. Ringo Telecom, which allegedly distributed the calls, could also be fined $2 million for violating caller ID regulations. The company did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.
FCC Enforcement Officer Royan A. Egal said in a statement that “malicious actors are using U.S. communications networks to exploit generative AI technology to interfere in elections, deceive consumers, or steal sensitive data. We will take swift and decisive action to ensure that this does not endanger the public.”
New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella said the Justice Department is committed to protecting elections from “unlawful interference,” and that recent enforcement actions “are targeting those who seek to interfere in elections, including through the use of artificial intelligence.” We hope that this will serve as a strong deterrent.”
