NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—Rancho Santa Margarita Mayor Carol Gamble pleaded guilty Friday as expected to a misdemeanor charge related to her nominating petitions and was ordered to perform 160 hours of community service.
Gamble turned in nominating petitions for her reelection to the City Council that violated the law because she did not personally witness the signatures, prosecutors said. If she is reelected Tuesday, she cannot take office and the city will have to hold a special election, prosecutors said.