WASHINGTON: A fake robocall imitating President Joe Biden’s voice and attempting to dissuade people from voting for him in New Hampshire’s primary election has been traced back to Texas-based Life Corp, the state attorney general said on Tuesday.

Attorney General John Formella told a news conference in Concord, New Hampshire, that a cease-and-desist letter has been sent to the company, run by Walter Monk, and a criminal investigation is under way.

“We are committed to keeping our elections free and fair,” Formella said, noting that the robocall appeared to be an attempt to use artificial intelligence to interfere with New Hampshire’s Democratic primary election.

Biden won the Jan 23 nominating contest by a wide margin despite being a write-in candidate.

Neither Life Corp nor Monk immediately responded to requests for comment.

Formella, a Republican, said the robocall was made on Jan 21 to thousands of Democratic voters and was being investigated as an attempt to suppress voting in the nominating contest.

“It’s important that you save your vote for the November election ... voting this Tuesday only enables the Republicans in their quest to elect Donald Trump again,” the call had said.

Formella said traceback technology was used to trace the call back to the originating provider and identified the source as Life Corporation.

The originating voice service provider was Lingo Telecom, a Texas-based service provider, he said.

Lingo Telecom did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The New Hampshire attorney general’s office said that after Lingo Telecom was informed that the calls were being investigated, Lingo Telecom suspended services to Life Corp.

“At the New Hampshire Department of Justice, we have issued a cease-and-desist letter to Life Corporation, which orders the company to immediately cease violating New Hampshire election laws,” said Formella.

“We have also ordered a criminal investigation.” The Federal Communications Commission said its enforcement bureau had issued a cease-and-desist letter against Lingo Telecom demanding it “immediately stop supporting unlawful robocall traffic on its networks.” Biden reelection campaign chair Julie Chavez Rodriguez issued a statement thanking New Hampshire authorities for moving quickly on the robocall.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2024