2 Accused of Altering Nominating Petitions in NJ

Two officials in a northern New Jersey town have been charged with tampering with nominating petitions in a town council race.

Prosecutors in Bergen County announced charges Tuesday against Emerson Borough attorney Scott Mooney and council member Ronald Griffin.

Authorities say the men added the name of a second candidate to the nominating petition of another after 25 people had already signed it before this spring's primary elections. They are also accused of putting the name of only one candidate on a petition after telling voters they were signing to support three candidates.

James Patuto, a lawyer for Mooney, says "there certainly was no criminal intent, even if there is a technical violation."

Griffin did not immediately return a call to The Associated Press.

Both men were arrested Monday.

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