IMPEACH BUSH

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- The former executive director of the Allen County Republican Party pleaded guilty to election fraud charges, admitting he forged the signatures of 11 candidates on election forms.

Douglas T. Foy, 41, of Fort Wayne, faces three years of probation under terms of a plea agreement with prosecutors. He pleaded guilty Monday in Allen Superior Court to 11 felony counts of forging the names of nine township advisory board and two trustee-assessor candidates last year.

The Allen County Election Board removed the candidates from the ballot on the grounds that the signatures were not legitimate, and the county GOP chairman fired Foy over his actions.

Foy told the election board last year that he signed the forms for the candidates because he believed a second, notarized signature was the official one.

"I'm glad this whole mess is finally over with and we can make a fresh start," Foy said after Monday's hearing. "There are certainly a few things

I could shed some light on, but I see no need to rock the boat at this point."

Foy also has repaid nearly $10,000 to the county GOP after an audit determined he had diverted the money for his personal use, but party officials said they would not seek criminal charges.