Mar 15, 2007 By Amy Zalar 3 min read

Fayette County Controller Mark Roberts is challenging the nomination petitions of challenger Sean P. Lally and is asking a judge to throw Lally off the primary ballot. While Roberts’ challenge hinges on the allegation that Lally did not personally circulate all the petitions that have Lally’s signature on them, Lally said he has done nothing wrong, and has written proof of that fact.

The challenge was presented in motions court Wednesday morning before Judge Gerald Solomon, who scheduled a hearing for the petition for 1:30 p.m. today in Courtroom Number 3 before Judge Steve Leskinen.

The challenge, which alleges deficiencies and irregularities in Lally’s petitions, was filed late Tuesday afternoon in the office of Prothonotary Lance Winterhalter, on the last day to challenge nomination petitions. Attorney Jason F. Adams filed the challenge on behalf of Roberts.

While some of the signatures on Lally’s petitions are being challenged as those of unregistered voters, improper addresses or as people who previously signed Roberts’ petitions, most of the challenges deal with an allegation that Lally did not personally circulate his nomination petitions.

On the back of the petitions is a place in which the petition circulator must sign and notarize the petitions, verifying they indeed circulated the petition.

Lally said he personally circulated most of his 15 petitions, and kept written proof of that. “I did nothing (improper) or illegal,” Lally said. “He’s trying to use a technicality that doesn’t exist to get me thrown off the ballot.”

Lally said numerous people who signed his petitions have called him upset that Roberts called them to question them about signing Lally’s petition.

Lally added that he is not pleased with Roberts “calling people who signed my petitions in my presence and threatening them with subpoenas and other tactics to scare them and convince them into voting for him.”

Lally said he is seeking legal counsel to investigate the legality of Roberts’ actions as a possible Ethics violation. “I am very disappointed in his behavior that he would stoop to this level to have a good candidate thrown off the ballot,” Lally said.

Roberts and Lally are both seeking the Democratic nomination for controller in the May 15 municipal primary. The winner is virtually assured the position, as no Republicans have filed to run for the office. Roberts is seeking a third term in the office. Lally is a business owner with degrees in economics and finance.

Lally said he is anticipating that numerous people who received calls from Roberts will attend the hearing.

Roberts did not return calls seeking comment.