Texas companies behind fake Biden robocalls to NH voters could face 'severe' felony charges

Investigators have not ruled out potential felony charges for the two Texas-based companies that used artificial intelligence (AI) in an effort to trick New Hampshire democratic primary voters into not casting ballots.

New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella, who is a Republican, told CBS News that he's considering class B felony charges in response to the roughly 5,000 to 25,000 robocalls that went out to New Hampshire voters ahead of the state's presidential primary earlier this month. Those calls used AI to impersonate the voice of President Joe Biden in calls to voters encouraging them to stay home ahead of the Granite State's first-in-the-nation primary.

"Voting this Tuesday only enables the Republicans in their quest to elect Donald Trump again. Your vote makes a difference in November, not this Tuesday," the fake Biden voice said.

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Formella's office traced the calls back to two companies based in Texas: Life Corporation and Lingo Telecom, the latter of which received a cease-and-desist order from the Federal Communications Commission regarding the robocalls. Formella said a criminal investigation into Life Corporation owner Walter Monk is currently underway. In response to the news of a criminal investigation, Lingo Telecom reportedly suspended services to Life Corporation. CBS also reported that federal charges may be in the works.

"Ensuring public confidence in the electoral process is vital. In law enforcement I can say it's one of our highest priorities," Formella told CBS. "We will continue our work to identify and hold all individuals or companies who may be responsible for these acts accountable and we are keeping all enforcement options on the table."

The New Hampshire AG said he aimed for any charges that may emerge from the investigation to serve as a deterrent to any future efforts to use AI to trick voters.

"The consequences to your action will be severe," Formella continued. "We don't want it to be the first of many. We want this to be an example for us to point to, but also an enforcement example for us for anyone who would consider to do the same thing."

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Click here to read CBS' full report.