Miami-Dade prosecutors rested their case against former State Sen. Frank Artiles Friday.
Prosecutors accused the Republican politician of being the brains behind a scheme to confuse Florida Senate District 37 voters with a no-party "ghost candidate," Alex Rodriguez, running against then-Democratic incumbent, Florida Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez and Republican candidate Ileana Garcia.
Alex Rodriguez ran in exchange for $50,000, he testified.
Prosecutors accused Artiles, 50, of committing felony campaign fraud while directing a ploy to confuse Florida District 27 voters who intended to choose the Democrat.
On Friday, defense attorneys finished their cross-examination of a police officer and were expected to call their witnesses.
