Former Lumberton Township Mayor Gina LaPlaca and her husband face criminal charges

Former Lumberton Township Mayor Gina LaPlaca and her husband face criminal charges for submitting a nominating petition packed with fake signatures in a failed bid to stay on the Democratic primary ballot.

Prosecutors say multiple people whose names appeared on the petition never signed it and never gave permission for anyone else to sign. Without those fraudulent names, LaPlaca would not have qualified for the June primary.

She had sworn under oath that she personally circulated the petition and that every signature was authentic.

The charges come after LaPlaca pleaded guilty earlier this year to driving under the influence with a blood-alcohol level of 0.30 percent while her young child was in the car.

A local official already convicted of endangering her own child is now accused of lying under oath to stay on the ballot