(PatriotNews.net) – The re-election campaign of Monique Lamar-Silvia, a city councilwoman in Saginaw, Michigan, is under scrutiny after she allegedly forged signatures to help someone qualify for the ballot. Lamar-Silvia, 64, is a pageant organizer and prison minister who has served on the council in this blue-collar city of about 44,000 people. She is one of 11 candidates running for five council seats with four-year terms in the upcoming election.
The issue began when Eric Eggleston, a local resident, was short of the 50 signatures needed to qualify for the city council race. On July 23, just before the 4 p.m. deadline, Lamar-Silvia and Eggleston were seen on video rushing to gather the remaining signatures. Eggleston took additional petition sheets and went outside City Hall to collect more names, with Lamar-Silvia helping him. According to the footage, Lamar-Silvia even gathered a signature herself after being told to step away from the entrance ramp.
Despite their efforts, the clock was ticking. Lamar-Silvia was caught on camera kneeling near the entrance, writing on Eggleston’s petition sheets. With only minutes left, Eggleston submitted the forms with six new signatures. However, when City Clerk Kristine Bolzman reviewed the signatures, she found that at least three of them were not legitimate. According to a memo obtained by MLive, Bolzman’s office determined that the signatures “had not been signed by the voters themselves.”
Staff at the clerk’s office became suspicious of Lamar-Silvia’s actions after seeing her writing on the petition while checking her phone. Bolzman contacted Michigan election officials, and the Secretary of State’s office confirmed that Lamar-Silvia is under investigation. Under Michigan law, signing a petition with multiple names is a felony offense.
Lamar-Silvia has not responded to requests for comment. However, Eggleston defended her, saying, “I fully support and stand with my Councilwoman.” He did not qualify for the ballot and is not being investigated. Like the other candidates for Saginaw City Council, Lamar-Silvia has no formal party affiliation.
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