The verdicts are beginning to come in on the case involving the attempted recall of city council woman Kathy Hofmann. In 2007, there was an initiative to recall Ms. Hofmann. Signatures were collected via petition, only for it to be later discovered that many people whose names appeared on the petition did not actually sign the petition. Their signatures had been forged.
Charges were brought against Lee’s Summit residents Janine Thompson and Matt Ranville in the case. Charges range from misdemeanor to felony charges for filing false affidavits and election fraud. On May 20th 2009, Janine Thompson plead guilty to the charges and received up to five years suspended in position of sentence, up to $12,000.00 in restitution, 180 hours of community service and 2 days "shock" time in jail, must testify truthfully and may no longer participate in any election related signature gathering.
To date, Matt Ranville has not yet been tried on these charges. His trial is pending. Kathy Hofmann has been frustrated seeing the legal process become so drawn out, but says, "I’m glad to see that justice is finally prevailing and that Janine pleaded guilty to her wrongdoing. Still, there’s been no real justice for those whose names were used [forged]".
Julie Grogan, who is a poll worker and campaigner for Kathy Hofmann said, "I’m glad she plead guilty and hope that if she has information in the case regarding all of the other parties involved,
By Leah Morgan
Contributing Writer
