Closing arguments were held in the trial for former Florida State Senator Frank Artiles, who is facing charges in an election conspiracy case.
Following instructions by the judge, jurors began deliberations just after 1 p.m. Monday.
Prosecutors have accused the Republican politician of spearheading a scheme made to confuse Florida Senate District 37 voters with a no-party “ghost candidate,” named Alex Rodríguez, running against then-Democratic incumbent, Florida Sen. Jose Javier Rodríguez and Republican candidate Ileana García.
Rodríguez ran in the election in exchange for $50,000, he testified.
Prosecutors allege Artiles committed felony campaign fraud while directing a ploy to confuse Florida voters who intended to choose the Democrat.