2003 Candidate for Governor Gets Jail for Faking Petitions
A write-in candidate for governor in the 2003 recall election was sentenced to three months in jail for falsifying signatures on his nomination petitions, the secretary of state’s office announced Thursday.
David Charles Scully of Davis had campaigned to replace Gov. Gray Davis in the October 2003 special election. The election featured 135 candidates, including Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt, former “Diff’rent Strokes” actor Gary Coleman and adult-film actress Mary Carey. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger won.
“Any person who thinks they can defraud the system, even a candidate for governor, faces the prospect of jail,” said Secretary of State Bruce McPherson.
McPherson, a Republican, is running for reelection in November against state Sen. Debra Bowen (D-Marina del Rey).
Scully pleaded guilty in Sacramento County Superior Court after an investigation by the secretary of state’s office found that he had submitted questionable petitions in Solano, Yolo and Sacramento counties.
In one case, Scully forged the signature of a deceased person on a petition, according to McPherson’s office.
Scully was sentenced last week to 90 days in jail and a $250 fine. He will also serve three years’ probation.
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