FERRIDAY — Two of the men accused of voter fraud in the 2004 Ferriday mayoral election have filed a lawsuit against former Secretary of State Fox McKeithen’s office and election investigator Steven Watts.

The suit, filed Friday by Justin Connor and Willie Robinson, alleges false arrest and malicious prosecution by the Secretary of State’s office.

McKeithen was named as a defendant because Watts was an agent of the Secretary of State’s office as a member of the election compliance unit.

The initial voter fraud charges came about when Concordia Parish’s registrar of voters, Golda Ensminger, filed a complaint with the election compliance unit after three individuals arrived at the polls to vote and were told they were already noted on poll books as having voted absentee.

Watts filed a report in January 2005 alleging Connor and Robinson — among others — had tampered with absentee ballots.

The suit alleges the subsequent charges had racial and political motivations because Connor and Robinson had backed the black candidate and present mayor Gene Allen.

Connor and Robinson were arrested for voter fraud charges in April 2005. The case was dismissed in August 2006.

The suit alleges statements from the three citizens who claimed they had not voted absentee were coerced by Watts and others.

The affidavit submitted by Connor and Robinson alleges they lost — among other things — employment, respect within the community, church members and family.

Connor and Robinson also claim the prosecution resulted in mental anguish, humiliation and embarrassment. The affidavit requests damages and a trial by jury.