A man with two residences who thought he had to vote in two counties last fall pleaded guilty today to two counts of illegal voting.

Claudel Gilbert, 38, a citizen who moved from Haiti in 1994 with his family, said he had an apartment in Franklin County before he bought a house in Licking County in 2006. He registered to vote in both counties.

Boards of elections in both counties sent him voter verification cards, and Gilbert thought his vote would not count unless he voted twice, said defense attorney Eric Yavitch.

An investigation was launched after the Nov. 7, 2006, election when his name showed up on a statewide database of all those who voted, officials said.

He pleaded guilty to voting in Franklin County, where he does not live anymore, and to voting twice — both felonies. He will be able to vote in Licking County next month.

Gilbert works as a COTA bus driver.

Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Richard A. Frye sentenced Gilbert to probation for one year and fined him $500. He suspended a six-month prison sentence.

“He did not have any illegal intent, but instead was trying to protect what he thought were his property rights,” Yavitch said. “He is embarrassed and humiliated to be standing before an American judge in front of the American flag, admitting to his mistake.”

bcadwallader@dispatch.com

An earlier version of this story contained incorrect information about Gilbert's voting status.