PA Election Fraud Case: Woman Facing Numerous Charges

PITTSBURGH, PA — Charges have been filed against a suburban Pittsburgh woman for forging nomination paperwork earlier this year for a Pine-Richland school board candidate.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday has announced that Kayla Michelle Van Blargan, 36, of Wexford, has been charged Thursday with four counts of forgery, perjury, and related offenses.

The Attorney General's Office investigation showed that Van Blargan forged at least four elector signatures on a nomination petition for candidate Kathleen Ravotti. A competing candidate filed a lawsuit, and Ravotti eventually dropped out of the race.

“Our democracy is dependent on free, transparent, and fair elections — with no exceptions, no matter what level of government,” Sunday said in a statement.

“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.”

The investigation revealed that Van Blargan compiled nomination paperwork, including the 10 necessary signatures from electors required to get on the ballot. Van Blargan signed a Statement of Circulator, which is a legal document regarding the petition process.

It was determined that at least four elector signatures on the petition were forged. An agent interviewed the electors whose names were on the petition, and they confirmed they did not sign it.

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 nomination petitions; certificates and papers; destruction; fraudulent filing and suppression.