Former Flagstaff mayoral candidate indicted for forged signatures
Aug 1, 2020, 1:45 PM
PHOENIX — Victor Varela, a former Flagstaff mayoral candidate, was indicted by a grand jury for submitting forged signatures, Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced in a press release on Friday.
It is alleged that Varela knowingly made and submitted forged petition signatures between January and April of electors supporting his nomination before withdrawing in July.
Varela, in several instances, purportedly said he verified that each signature was made in his presence, according to the release, and that the signers resided in the address given when that was not the case.
The city of Flagstaff informed residents that Varela’s name will appear on the ballot because the primary ballots were already mailed out, but votes for him will not be counted as he withdrew his candidacy for the position.
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Varela faces one class five felony count, three class six felony counts and eight class one misdemeanor counts.
Three names remain on the ballot for Flagstaff Mayor after Varela withdrew.
The primary election is Aug. 4.
