HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced Thursday that an Allegheny County woman has been charged in connection with forged nomination paperwork filed earlier this year for a Pine-Richland School Board election.
Authorities said 36-year-old Kayla Michelle Van Blargan of Wexford faces four counts of forgery, perjury, and several related offenses.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the investigation determined that Van Blargan forged at least four elector signatures on a nomination petition for school board candidate Kathleen Ravotti. The alleged misconduct surfaced after a competing candidate filed a lawsuit, leading Ravotti to withdraw from the race.
Attorney General Sunday underscored the seriousness of the case, stating: “Our democracy is dependent on free, transparent, and fair elections — with no exceptions, no matter what level of government. Our office will enforce the Pennsylvania Election Code regardless of the parties or candidates involved. These criminal actions directly threatened the integrity of the election process that residents of this school district depended on for leadership over institutions of learning.”
Investigators said Van Blargan compiled the required paperwork, including a Statement of Circulator affirming that 10 elector signatures had been gathered. At least four of those signatures were later determined to be fraudulent after agents interviewed the named electors, who confirmed they had not signed the petition.
In addition to forgery and perjury, Van Blargan is charged with unsworn falsification to authorities, false signatures and statements in nomination petitions and papers, and fraudulent filing of nomination petitions, certificates, and related documents.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Alexander Cashman of the Public Corruption Section.
All charges are allegations, and a suspect, arrestee, or defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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