Saginaw City Councilwoman Sentenced Probation Election Forgery Seat Vacated

Monique Lamar-Silvia, a Saginaw City Council member, was sentenced to one year of probation, 140 hours of community service, and fines for forging signatures on a nominating petition to place a candidate on the 2024 City Council ballot. She was convicted of multiple felonies including conspiracy, election law forgery, and signing petitions with false information, following a June trial. Despite not receiving jail time due to the judge's assessment that she posed no threat to public safety, the Saginaw City Council unanimously voted to declare her seat vacant upon sentencing, initiating the process to fill the vacancy. Lamar-Silvia remains on the council as of the latest reports but faces significant pressure to resign from city officials and former council members. Evidence presented at trial included surveillance footage showing Lamar-Silvia adding fraudulent signatures, and testimony suggested a quid pro quo arrangement involving support for her mayoral bid. Her co-conspirator, Eric Eggleston, who was the intended candidate on the petition, is awaiting sentencing.