OCALA, FL (352today) – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested a 24-year-old woman on 16 counts of fraudulent use of personal identification information.
According to FDLE, Maria Guadalupe Bautista submitted petitions with fraudulent signatures to the Marion County Supervisor of Elections (SOE).
The investigation began in 2021 after the SOE met with law enforcement concerning complaints of extensive fraud in relation to the constitutional amendment for the limited authorization of casino gaming. Staff from the SOE had suspicions that over 760 forms were forged. According to the FDLE, Bautista was responsible for turning in 191 of those forms.
After further investigation, agents concluded that Bautista also allegedly submitted 16 petitions with fraudulent signatures. According to the FDLE, two of the signatures were for individuals who passed away. Agents say Bautista worked as a paid petition circulator.
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She was arrested and booked into the Alachua County Jail. She is being held on an $80,000 bond.