Antioch Twp. assessor hopeful admits faking petitions

A one-time candidate for Antioch Township Assessor admitted Wednesday that he tried to secure a position on the ballot with falsified petitions.

Eugene Kryczka, 38, pleaded guilty to perjury during a hearing before Lake County Circuit Judge John Phillips.

Assistant State's Attorney Christen Bishop said Kryczka, of the 26000 block of West Heart O Lakes Boulevard, filed 25 nominating petitions for assessor in the April 7, 2009, election.

On 19 of those petitions, Bishop said, Kryczka signed a sworn statement that he had witnessed the people whose names were listed sign the petitions.

The current assessor, Heather Kufalk-Marotta, became suspicious of some of the signatures and began calling some of the voters listed.

When people told her they had not signed the petitions, Kufalk-Marotta filed objections and Kryczka withdrew from the race.

Kufalk-Marotta also contacted the state's attorney's office, and Bishop said more than 50 of the signatures on the petitions were determined to be false.

Phillips placed Kryczka on probation for two years and warned him that he could face up to five years in prison if he does not comply with the rules of probation.

Phillips also ordered Kryczka to pay a $500 fine and barred him from holding public office or participating in any political activity other than voting while he is on probation.

Kryczka must also write letters of apology to Kufalk-Marotta and the Antioch Board of Elections as part of his sentence.