Rancho Santa Margarita Mayor Pleads Guilty to Election Fraud

Carol Gamble, the mayor of Rancho Santa Margarita, has pleaded guilty to falsifying nomination paperwork, rendering her ineligible for the upcoming City Council election. She admitted to falsely claiming she witnessed signatures for her candidacy, which led to a misdemeanor charge instead of felony perjury. As part of her plea deal, Gamble will perform 160 hours of community service and undergo one year of probation, but will not face jail time. The Orange County District Attorney emphasized the importance of electoral integrity, stating that such interference undermines public trust. Gamble's name remains on the ballot for the November 5 election, which could lead to a costly special election if she wins. Critics of the plea deal argue that her long tenure in politics warrants a harsher penalty for her actions.