Former Morgantown City Council candidate Timothy Metz has admitted to falsifying signatures during the 2019 municipal election.
Metz pleaded guilty Thursday in Monongalia County Circuit Court to one felony count of falsely filing a certification of nomination
The Secretary of State’s Office launched the investigation after being notified by Morgantown officials. The investigation found 21 of the 75 required signatures to get on the ballot were fraudulent, including one signature of deceased person.
When Metz withdrew from the election process in March of 2019 he said he had “cut corners.” Metz was indicted by a Mon County Grand Jury in September.
Metz was sentenced to two years probation under a pre-trial diversion agreement backed by Monongalia County Prosecutor Perri DeChristopher.
Secretary of State Mac Warner said election fraud will not be tolerated.
“Our office will continue to work closely with local election officials and county prosecutors to make sure election improprieties are properly investigated and those people found guilty are held accountable,” Warner said in a statement released by his office.