Anything to Gemma's allegations?

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Congressman David Cicilline has denied all allegations of voter fraud, made Wednesday by his Democratical challenger Anthony Gemma.

Gemma claims a private investigative firm he hired uncovered cases of election fraud.

Those allegations included coaxing people to vote, getting individuals to cast multiple ballots at multiple polling places, teaching underage individuals how to vote fraudulently, abusing the absentee ballot system, using dead voters' names to cast ballots, tampering with electronic voting machines and registering to vote at businesses and vacant lots. Gemma claimed the fraud took place in Providence between 2002 and 2010.

• Related: Gemma says Cicilline involved in voter fraud

Cicilline's campaign responded with outrage almost immediately, calling it "another bizarre and outrageous political stunt" by Gemma, who is challenging Cicilline in the Sept. 11 primary after losing to him in 2010.

"Fortunately I think Rhode Islanders know the difference between fact and fiction - that was fiction," Cicilline told WPRI.com on Wednesday afternoon at his East Providence campaign office, adding that while voter fraud should be investigated and prosecuted, Gemma "did not produce a single shred of evidence."

• Web Extra: Cicilline denies voter fraud allegations

However, Gemma said he has proof including one woman who said she signed an affidavit alleging voter fraud.

"It's true, I've seen people vote three times a day, I've seen people change their clothes for different voting places. It's true," the woman told Eyewitness News.

Gemma also gave the news media a packet of information at Wednesday's news conference. At the top of the list, Gemma claims a voter named Janette Santos is registered to vote at 584 Cranston Street in Providence.

Eyewitness News verified that address with the Secretary of State's Office website. But, when Eyewitness News crews arrived, they found an auto repair service. The lights were out and it was closed for the night.

Gemma also claimed a voter named Aura Chavez is registered to vote at 310 Cranston Street in Providence. That checked out as well with the Secretary of State's Office website.

When Eyewitness News arrived at that address, news crews found the business Tropical Liquors and an owner who said he knows nothing of Aura Chavez.

"This is 310 Cranston Street, but I have no idea who Aura Chavez is, okay? We don't have any family members who are called Aura Chavez, my name is not Aura Chavez. Obviously not my mother, not my sister or wife called that," said Raul Martinez, owner of Tropical Liquors.

Eyewitness News Reporter Kathryn Sotnik asked the owner of Tropical Liquors, "So, do you wonder why she's registered to vote from this address?"

"Yes, absolutely. I never authorized that," added Martinez.

At least one of the Providence addresses Eyewitness News visited is outside of the First Congressional District. But Gemma alleges it was used by a voter in the 2002 election, when Cicilline was running for mayor of Providence. Of course, just because some of the addresses are in question that does not prove a link to David Cicilline or his campaign.

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Primary night is just three weeks away and Eyewitness News is teaming up with The Providence Journal to bring you a live campaign 2012 Congressional Primary Debate.

Congressman David Cicilline and Challenger Anthony Gemma will face off on the issues as they vie for the Democratic nomination.

The debate is Tuesday, August 28, and will be broadcast live on WPRI 12 and WPRI.com starting at 8 p.m.

Click here to submit your questions for the candidates or to sign up for a seat, to watch the debate in person at Rhode Island College.