Virginia man pleads guilty to forging Newt Gingrich primary signatures

Adam Ward pleaded guilty to 36 counts of voter fraud and perjury

Published June 19, 2013 1:06PM (EDT)

A Virginia man pleaded guilty to charges that he forged signatures on primary campaign ballots for Newt Gingrich's campaign during the 2012 Republican primary, to ensure that Gingrich got on the state's ballot.

WVIR-TV reports:

In December of 2011 Newt Gingrich needed 10,000 signatures to get his name on the Virginia presidential primary ballot. Adam Ward, 28, collected more than 11,000 signatures according to prosecutors. More than 4,000 signatures could not be verified by investigators.

Tuesday night, Ward pleaded guilty to 36 counts of voter fraud and perjury in Augusta Circuit Court.


By Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

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2012 Elections Newt Gingrich Republicans Virginia Voter Fraud