Orange : Forgery Charges Against Assemblyman to Stand
A Superior Court judge in Sacramento on Thursday refused to dismiss charges against Republican Assemblyman John R. Lewis of Orange, who is accused of forging former President Reagan’s name on campaign-endorsement letters mailed to California voters in 1986.
Lewis’ attorney, Clyde M. Blackmon, said he will appeal the decision of Superior Court Judge James I. Morris to the 3rd District Court of Appeal.
Blackmon had asked Morris to dismiss the charges on grounds that the phony endorsement letters could not constitute forgery under California law because there was no intent to defraud anyone of money or property. But Morris said the letters could have defrauded voters of their right to fair elections.
The motions filed by Blackmon parallel those he filed earlier this year that were rejected by Morris and the Court of Appeal. But Blackmon maintains that the Court of Appeal ruled against Lewis on a procedural point the first time, and that this time, the court will be able to examine the merits of the case.
Lewis, indicted Feb. 6 by the Sacramento County Grand Jury, has pleaded innocent and is scheduled to go to trial Sept. 25.
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