FAYETTEVILLE -- A Tontitown alderwoman accused of election law violations had her case reset Monday in Washington County Circuit Court.
Rhonda Doudna, 50, of 462 Pozza Lane in Tontitown is accused of making a false statement on a petition verification form last year. Circuit Judge Mark Lindsay reset the case to Nov. 9.
Prosecuting Attorney Matt Durrett said the delay was because of a scheduling problem with a witness.
Under Arkansas Code 7-9-109, a petition containing signatures must be verified by the person who circulated the sheet of the petition. Doudna is charged with "false statement on petition verification form," a felony offense.
Doudna has pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing in the petition process, saying she witnessed all the signatures. Doudna contends the investigation is politically motivated.
If convicted, the charge can carry a maximum of six years in jail and a $10,000 fine, according to Durrett. One similar case has been filed in the county during the past 10 years. The outcome in that case did not include jail time, he said.
NW News on 10/13/2015