Former candidates, consultants charged in Michigan signature forgery scandal

Three people were charged with forgery and other crimes for falsifying petition signatures that got several Republican candidates for governor disqualified from the primary ballot last year.
The defendants ran companies that collected hundreds of thousands of dollars from nine campaigns but submitted phony signatures, barring five candidates from the election.
Two defendants have been arrested, while a third remains at large as the investigation continues and more charges are possible.
The spoiled candidacies included millionaire businessman Perry Johnson and former Detroit police Chief James Craig, who were seen as strong contenders for the GOP nomination.
The state attorney general warned campaigns to vet signature collectors and suggested Michigan tighten laws around the petition process.