Delco district judge charged in petition forgery
A Delaware County magisterial judge has been arrested and charged with forging signatures on nominating petitions for his campaign, the district attorney's office announced today.
A Delaware County magisterial judge has been arrested and charged with forging signatures on nominating petitions for his campaign, the district attorney's office announced today.
David J. Murphy, of Aston, a district judge since 1991, told an unidentified witness in August that he forged signatures on his nominating petitions for the 2009 primary, according to court documents.
Murphy, a Republican, allegedly said he was concerned there were not enough signatures to qualify as a candidate on the Democratic ticket. It is a common practice for judicial candidates to appear on Democratic and Republican ballots.
One hundred signatures are needed to be placed on the ballot as a candidate for magisterial district judge in Delaware County.
Investigators found 64 signatures had been forged on petitions for Murphy, according to court documents. He has been charged with forgery, tampering with records, identity theft, perjury, and other related charges.
The charges were filed on March 9.
Deborah West, of Rose Valley, has also been charged with forgery, tampering with records, identity theft, criminal conspiracy and related crimes in connection to the case.
Murphy, who had been on paid leave since September while he was under investigation, was reelected to office in November by a 2-1 margin, according to court documents.
In January, a witness told investigators West was blackmailing Murphy, according to court documents.
According to court documents, another unidentified witness told investigators that Murphy told him West forged signatures on both Republican and Democratic petitions for his candidacy.
Murphy had been a Democrat until 1994, when he switched his affiliation to Republican.
Contact staff writer Mari A. Schaefer at 610-892-9149 or mschaefer@phillynews.com.
