Former Democratic lawmaker and political gadfly John Kromko has pleaded guilty to forging petition signatures in his attempt qualify for the 2008 general election ballot - but has a shot at avoiding a felony.
Kromko, 70, who was seeking to return to the Arizona House of Representatives, initially faced multiple felony counts of identity theft, forgery and fraud, but pleaded in January to one misdemeanor of petition forgery.
He also agreed to a felony count of an attempted fraudulent scheme, but that could be knocked down to a misdemeanor if he satisfactorily fulfills his probation over at least 24 months.
David Euchner, Kromko's attorney, said the choice to take the plea became easier once his side lost an argument that mandatory prison time was improper in this case. If he'd lost at trial, Kromko would have faced mandatory prison.
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Under the agreement, Kromko, who served in the House from 1976 to 1990 and was running again for a seat in Legislative District 27, acknowledged he placed the names of 29 people without permission.
The plea agreement carries a maximum term of two years in prison, although Euchner said that's unlikely. While it's difficult to predict what a judge might do, he said, probation is more likely than a prison or jail term.
The plea agreement also states Kromko cannot run for public office for at least five years.
Prosecutors did not have any comment.
His sentencing is expected later this month.
Reporter Rhonda Bodfield: 573-4243 or rbodfield@azstarnet.com