Saginaw City Council Member Sentenced on Election Law Forgery Charges

LANSING – Today, Saginaw City Council member Monique Lamar-Silvia, 64, of Saginaw, was sentenced to one year of probation with 140 hours of community service for forging signatures on a nominating petition filed with the Saginaw City Clerk’s Office in an unsuccessful attempt to get Eric Eggleston, 53, of Saginaw on the 2024 November General Election ballot as a candidate for City Council, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Lamar-Silvia was convicted by a Saginaw County jury in June of:  

• One count of Conspiracy to Do a Legal Act in an Illegal Manner;
• One count of Election Law Forgery;
• One count of Signing a Nominating Petition with Multiple Names; and
• One count of Signing a Nominating Petition with a Name Other Than Her Own.

“Forging signatures to manipulate the ballot is not only a crime but an attack on our democratic process,” Nessel said. “My office remains committed to protecting election integrity and holding accountable those who seek to undermine it.” 

On July 23, 2024, Lamar-Silvia fraudulently signed the names of Saginaw voters to a petition form meant to secure Eggleston’s place on the ballot. Eggleston, who was also convicted by a Saginaw County jury in June, then signed the petition form, falsely certifying that he was the circulator, and submitted both forms to the clerk’s office shortly before the filing deadline that same day. Eggleston was not granted placement on the ballot. 

This matter was referred to the Attorney General by the Michigan Department of State following an investigation into a complaint of apparent election fraud made by the Saginaw City Clerk. Eggleston and Lamar-Silvia were charged by the Department of Attorney General in January. The Saginaw City Council has voted unanimously to vacate Lamar-Silvia’s seat upon her sentencing as a result of her convictions. 

Eggleston will be sentenced before Judge Andre Borrello in the 10th Circuit Court in Saginaw County on September 4.