Superior school board member charged with election fraud

A criminal complaint has been filed charging a Superior school board member with two felony counts. 65-year old Steven Stupak is facing election fraud charges.

The complaint filed in Douglas County circuit court alleges that Stupak falsified his nomination papers for the school board election in 2021 by listing an address where he didn’t actually live.

Court documents list Stupak’s residential address as on Congdon boulevard in Duluth, a home that’s listed as being owned by he and his wife. But to be a school board member in Superior board members must reside in Superior.

The criminal complaint shows Stupak faces two counts of election fraud, which are felonies. Both charges are Class I felonies and carry a maximum penalty of three years and six months imprisonment and a fine up to $10,000.

An initial appearance in Douglas County circuit court is set for August 23. Laura Gapske, a former Superior school board member who finished her term in April said 13 other members are calling for Stupak’s resignation or expulsion. “Due process will happen,” Gaspke said.

“But when there’s that much evidence, that means that there is beyond a reasonable doubt that this is likely, that he’s been committing fraud. You swear you make oath. And Steve Stupak has violated that oath and has fraudulently claimed where he lived.”

Many parents and teachers are frustrated and concerned with the decisions Stupak made over the years and how they impacted the community. “I’m hoping the process in place right now, which is violating criminally the statutes that he is facing right now, which are both felonies, that just says how serious they are. And that is why we have those statutes.”

We reached out to the Superior school district, Superintendent Amy Starzecki said the district has no comment at this time.

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