Former MV Crime Stoppers Exec Faces Felony Charge in Montgomery County Sheriff’s Race

A candidate for sheriff in Montgomery County, who is also the former executive director of Mohawk Valley Crime Stoppers, faces a felony charge in connection with his political petitions to run for office.

James Glorioso, 41, is accused for filing a false instrument in the first degree, a felony. The charge stems from his collection of signatures to run as a candidate for county sheriff.

The Daily Gazette reports one of the issues involved a signature in which was apparently signed by a relative - which is not allowed. On his Facebook page, Glorioso indicated this particular incident involved a father signing the petition for his son, who is autistic.

Additionally, a notary working with Glorioso's campaign faces a charge of filing a false instrument, the Albany Times Union reports:

Several other signatures were supposedly witnessed and notarized by Kirsten Lemire, but the signers told police that Glorioso himself had gathered the signatures and they had not spoken to a woman during the process.

Glorioso is running on the Democratic, Working Families and Woman's Equality lines. The petitions in question involved his effort to get on the Conservative party line.

His opponent, Jeff Smith is running on the Republican, Conservative, Reform and Independence lines.

Glorioso is due to appear in town of Mohawk court on September 12, according to reports.