Charges Filed Against Gaea Powell for Election Fraud in 2022 and 2024 Elections

Author: District Attorney
Date: 6/26/2025 9:15 AM

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that charges were filed against Gaea Edde Powell (62) for election fraud in Arroyo Grande during the 2022 and 2024 election cycles.

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On June 24, 2025, the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Gaea Edde Powell (62) for voter registration fraud, filing a false declaration of candidacy, fraudulent voting, failure to file campaign finance reports, and for perjury by declaration. These crimes are alleged to have occurred during the 2022 and 2024 Arroyo Grande Mayoral election cycles.

"The integrity of our electoral system depends on all participants following the law, and my office will not tolerate attempts to undermine that integrity through fraudulent conduct,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “Ms. Powell's alleged actions over multiple election cycles represent a serious breach of the public trust, and these charges demonstrate our commitment to holding accountable anyone who attempts to manipulate our elections processes. We will always dutifully follow the evidence wherever it leads to ensure that the community can trust that there will be accountability without any political bias or motivation.”

The filed criminal complaint alleges that Gaea E. Powell committed the crime of voter registration fraud on July 12, 2022, when she registered to vote at an address in the City of Arroyo Grande where she did not reside as required by law. Instead, she resided in a rural part of the county near Arroyo Grande that is located outside the city limits and is not subject to the jurisdiction of the City of Arroyo Grande.

The following additional offenses were alleged for conduct during the same 2022 election cycle: falsely declaring under penalty of perjury the location of her residence; submitting false nomination papers; failing to file campaign finance reports as required by law; and voting in the November 8, 2022, election where she was not legally entitled to vote.

For conduct during the 2024 election cycle, the complaint further alleges that Ms. Powell voted in the March 5, 2024, election where she was not legally entitled to vote; falsely declared under penalty of perjury the location of her residence; submitted false nomination papers; and voted in the November 5, 2024, election where she was not legally entitled to vote. Of the nine criminal charges filed, eight are felonies and one is a misdemeanor.

Arraignment will be scheduled after the defendant surrenders to Court, files a bond, or is booked on the criminal complaint.  Sentence for a conviction of these crimes may include a period of probation or county jail confinement, or both.

This case is being prosecuted by the Public Integrity Unit of the District Attorney’s Office. This unit was founded in 2015, with a mission to hold elected officials, public employees, and candidates for office accountable to the rules and laws that govern them. 

A criminal Complaint contains charges that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Here is a copy of the Complaint form.

Please contact Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth at (805) 781-5819 with any questions.
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