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^Citing fraud

changes filed

Inn s owner among

four implicated

By LOU HATTER

Rappahannock New* SUIT Writer

Reinhardt Lynch, 42, co-owner of the world-famous Inn at Little Washington, was charged last week with a violation of Virginia’s voting laws in connection with the town’s election on May 2.

According to an affadavit filed in Rappahannock County General District Court, Sheriffs Department Capt. Ed Streapy stated “My investigation revealed that Reinhardt Lynch did procure, assist, council (sic) or advise another to vote, in the town of Washington election on or about May 2, 1990 knowing such person was not duly qualified to vote where and when the vote was given.”

Charged along with Mr. Lynch were Alan Rene Margreithor, 20, David William Howard, 35, and Eric Matthew Schwier, 33. The three were charged with voting in an election district in which they did not reside. All were employed at The Inn at Little Washington at the time.

The arrest warrants listed Mr. Margreithor’s present address as Route 622, Washington, Mr. Howard’s address as Route 647, Flint Hill, and Mr. Schwier’s address as Route 646, Amissville.

The three voted by absentee ballots in the town’s election. According to General Registrar Nancy Leake, Mr. Margreithor gave his address as the Sisk House on Main Street, and Mr. Howard and Mr. Schwier said they lived in the Post Office Building, also on Main Street.

On the list of absentee voters posted in the Registrar’s Office, Mr. Margreithor’s address is listed as P.O. Box 523, Washington; Mr. Howard listed Main St., Washington; and Mr. Schwier gave his address as P.O. Box 385, Washington.

Mrs. Leake explained that, when an individual registers to vote, they must state, under oath, their residence and that they are eligible to vote in the district in which they register. “On absentee ballots it is really stressed,” she added, with three different applications which must be filled out and signed by the applicant.

See FRAUD, p. 12