When Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a Republican, offered a $25,000 reward to anybody who could prove an instance of voter fraud, he may not have envisioned its result. He ended up paying the bounty to a progressive Chester County poll worker who proved Republican foul play. Jon Skolnik covered the twist for Salon.com.

In November 2020, Eric Frank caught sight of Ralph Thurman, a 72-year-old Republican voter, attempting to vote twice. He intended to cast a vote for himself and his son, a registered Democrat.

Thurman recently pleaded guilty to repeat voting and was sentenced to three years’ probation.

In the aftermath of Trump’s election loss, Patrick offered up to $1 million “to incentivize, encourage, and reward people to come forward and report voter fraud.”

He specifically promised to pay out at least $25,000 to reports that lead to convictions. But his bounty, ostensibly intended to catch Democratic fraudsters, seems to have backfired.

“I never thought in a million years that I would get paid,” said Frank.

Read more about Eric Frank at Salon.com.