Former U.S. Rep. Scott Taylor campaign staffer indicted in petition forgery scandal
VIRGINIA BEACH -- A former campaign staffer for ex-Congressman Scott Taylor (R) was indicted Monday on election fraud charges for submitting fraudulent petition signatures in an effort to get a third-party candidate on the ballot to lure votes from Taylor's opponent.
A grand jury charged Lauren Creekmore Peabody with two counts of false statements and election fraud, said Circuit Court Clerk Tina Sinnen. The crime is a felony punishable by one to 10 years in prison and a $2,500 fine.
An arrest warrant for Peabody was issued after the indictment was handed down, Sinnen said, but she did not know when, or if, it had been served.
Peabody is one of at least five people on the former U.S. representative's campaign staff who circulated petitions in an effort to help independent congressional candidate Shaun Brown get on the ballot to compete against Taylor, a Republican, and Democrat Elaine Luria.
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