Former Cudahy mayor charged with misdemeanor after forgery

CUDAHY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A former longtime Cudahy mayor has been charged after a forgery that he admitted to.

Shortly after Cudahy's April elections, a complaint about three of the candidates was submitted to the Wisconsin Ethics Commission.

It came from a John Smith and it appeared to have been notarized with a stamp and signature from a Cudahy city clerk.

John Smith was, in fact, John Hohenfeldt who was winding down his term as mayor after deciding not to run again.

Hohenfeldt allegedly told police he used the notary stamp without the clerk's permission which is illegal.

He's charged with attempting to falsely act as a public official.

His lawyer, Michael Hayes, called it a "very regrettable decision."

The forged ethics complaint was withdrawn and Hohenfeldt took full responsibility for it, cooperating with police and apologizing in a lengthy letter.

Hohenfeldt attorney reiterated that, saying -- "He gave his heartfelt apology to those involved and to citizens of the great city of Cudahy."

The notary was cleared of any wrongdoing.

Hohenfeldt could be facing up to $10,000 in fines and 9 months in prison.