BUFFALO, N.Y. -- No one's disputing the facts of the case.
"He went to vote where he always went to vote. He temporarily moved to Niagara Falls, came back to Grand Island, thinking he can vote," said Thomas Eoannou, attorney for political activist Rus Thompson. "Again, technically, he should not have."
But Eoannou and supporters have questions about how the accusations of voter fraud against him have been handled. Thompson, a longtime political activist on Grand Island, was arraigned on a felony indictment Thursday. Prosecutors say he wrongly voted on Grand Island in the last three elections.
"We have election law violations constantly in this community," said Thompson supporter and fellow Republican, Carl Paladino.
Paladino says he thinks the way the DA's office is treating the case is "overkill." He points to a plea deal offered, which Eoannou says would've meant pleading guilty to the highest felony he's accused of with an option to request state prison.
"Obviously, he's a Republican, the District Attorney's a Democrat. It stinks to high heaven," said Paladino. "The offer of a plea should be a plea to a B misdemeanor with an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, as people get for much worse actions than the action of Rus Thompson."
But it's not just Republicans coming to Thompson's defense.
"I don't think this requires this amount of attention or resources," said Grand Island Town Supervisor Nate McMurray, a Democrat. He also showed up Thursday to support Thompson.
"Maybe a slap on the wrist? I don't know. That's for them to decide. I cannot believe he is facing felony and prison time over this."
Acting DA Michael Flaherty says there are no political motivations, and this is being handled just like any other case.
"I don't care what his enrollment is, I don't care who he is or who his friends are -- that has absolutely nothing to do with any decisions that were made by the grand jury. It has nothing to do with the facts," said Flaherty.
Flaherty says the case was brought to his office's attention by the county board of elections, which has Democratic and Republican commissioners.
Thompson's attorney says he plans to make a motion to dismiss the case during his next court appearance.
Thompson is charged with false registration, offering false instrument for filing, and three counts of illegal voting. If convicted, he could face anything from conditional discharge to four years in prison.