Now for whom do you think she voted multiple times?

Nun pleads guilty to voter fraud; escapes prison

Nun convicted: Marguerite Kloos admitted Tuesday to illegal voting, a felony.

Written by

Kimball Perry

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Marguerite Kloos pleaded guilty Tuesday to illegal voting./The Enquirer/Kimball Perry

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Marguerite Kloos walked into court Tuesday as a nun who devoted her life to her religion. When she walked out, she was a convicted felon who escaped a prison term.

Kloos, 54, of Delhi Township, pleaded guilty to illegal voting,admitting to filling out and filing an absentee ballot for Sister Rose Marie Hewitt, Kloos’ friend who died before last November’s election.

In a brief hearing before Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Robert Winkler, Kloos pleaded guilty as charged but was sentenced to the diversion program. If she stays out of trouble, usually for a year, her record will be erased and legally it will be as if it never happened. As part of that agreement, she also has to report to authorities periodically and perform community service. The charge carried a maximum prison sentence of 18 months.

Hewitt requested an absentee ballot from the Board of Elections in September. It was mailed to her Oct. 4, the day she died.

“When the absentee ballot was received at Ms. Hewitt’s address, (Kloos) opened the envelope, forged Ms. Hewitt’s signature, voted Ms. Hewitt’s ballot, and mailed the ballot back to the Board of Elections,” a court document notes.

After the allegation was made public, Kloos resigned as The College of Mount St. Joseph's Dean of the Division of Arts and Humanities,

Hers was one of three cases Hamilton County decided – so far – to prosecute from last fall’s elections.

Melowese Richardson, 58, of Madisonville, is in court Wednesday charged with eight counts of illegal voting. She was a poll worker accused of voting twice in the November presidential election and for relatives in various elections. Her charges charges carry up to 12 years in prison.

Russell Glassop, 75, of Symmes Township,is in court May 14, charged with one count of illegal voting. He also is seeking diversion. He is accused of voting for his deceased wife who requested an absentee ballot before she died.