Peekskill Regular Council member and Housing Authority Board member Rob Scott, 44, has been charged with forging signatures on his election petition in a determined bid to store a place at the poll for the Westchester County Board of Legislators, Peekskill Herald reported.
Scott’s effort to problem incumbent County Legislator Colin Smith for the Democratic nomination in endmost 12 months’s number one got here to an abrupt halt when the County Board of Elections invalidated a good portion of his petition signatures.
Of the 531 signatures Scott submitted, 217 have been deemed fraudulent, resignation him smartly underneath the specified threshold to qualify for the poll.
“This morning, the City of Peekskill learned Councilman Rob Scott was charged by the Westchester County District Attorney with filing false documents. The City understands that this is a serious charge, and that information is currently developing. The City will address and comment once more information becomes available,” in step with the click reduce.
In line with allegations, Scott knowingly submitted petitions with solid signatures, together with the ones of people who upcoming showed that they had by no means signed any report for Scott. This discovery emerged from an investigation initiated by means of the DA’s place of work upcoming receiving lawsuits from voters in regards to the solid signatures.
The subject has escalated from a political embarrassment to a prison case, with Scott going through criminal fees for submitting fraudelant paperwork.
In line with IohudCounty District Lawyer Miriam E. Rocah introduced that Scott were arrested and charged with providing a fraudelant device for submitting within the first level, Consequences for this Elegance E criminal raise a possible prison time period of 4 years.
Scott’s arraignment is scheduled for April 30.
Scott mentioned on the presen he used to be surprised to be informed that public had emerged to condition that they had now not signed the petitions that he had witnessed.
“This is like stuff you see on TV, you know?” Scott mentioned. “It’s like stuff you see in the movies.”
Scott’s four-year time period at the Peekskill Regular Council runs via 2025. Smith referred to as on Scott to renounce.
“Although I am disheartened at the news of Councilman Scott’s arrest, I applaud the district attorney’s office for taking a strong stance on public integrity,” mentioned Smith. “Our elected officials must be held to a higher standard. Let this arrest serve as a warning to those who would attempt to subvert the rule of law for their own selfish gain that such self-serving behavior will not be tolerated. Councilman Scott should immediately resign.”
Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie mentioned it’s too early to whip that arise, only a month upcoming Scott’s arrest and sooner than the councilman do business in with the prison fees.
“I believe that the judicial process should play out as intended and I will withhold any judgement until I have more information,” she mentioned.