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Petition Gatherer Sentenced

LEWISTON, Idaho -- A Lewiston woman accused of forging signatures on a pro-gambling petition will serve at least six months in jail.

Carol E. Johnson, 46, of Lewiston, was sentenced last week by 2nd District Judge Jeff Brudie for falsifying a voter petition calling for gaming electronics at horse racing tracks. She was ordered to pay $12,732 in restitution.

The gambling petition, which needed signatures from 41,000 registered Idaho voters, won't make it to the November ballot. It was withdrawn by supporters in April. It would have allowed Idaho horse racing tracks to feature the same type of video lottery machines used by Indian-owned casinos.

Attorney General Lawrence Wasden has contended the "racinos" petition was unconstitutional.

Nez Perce County Prosecutor Dan Spickler said he believed Johnson forged the signatures of as many as 200 county voters. She may have been motivated by a $1.25 bounty for each signature paid by the gambling interests supporting the petition drive.

Copyright © Las Vegas Sun. Inc. Republished with permission.

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