Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini announced Wednesday that two Suffolk election officials and two party leaders are accused of election fraud.

Former East Hampton Town Republican Party Chairman Amos Goodman, 35, is accused of submitting nominating petitions with at least 43 forged signatures, including one from a dead person.

In court Wednesday, prosecutors said he submitted a total of 10 petitions with forgeries, eight for Republican candidates, one for an independent candidate and one for a Green Party candidate.

It's unclear at this point who those political candidates were, but the Suffolk District Attorney's Office says they were running for East Hampton Town Council and judicial positions.

Goodman was released without bail and did not speak with News 12 as he left the courtroom. His attorney said that he was going to defend against the charges.

Goodman will be back in court on Feb. 6.

Also caught up in the alleged scheme were Board of Elections employee William Mann, of Cutchogue, who was also accused of submitting petitions with three forged names, and elections employee Gregory Dickerson, of Mattituck, who is accused of handing in nominating petitions with two forged names.   

In addition, East Hampton Town Independence Party Vice Chair Patricia Mansir, of East Hampton, is accused of submitting petitions with eight forged names.

Mann, Dickerson and Mansir were arraigned Tuesday.

They face forgery charges that could land them a maximum of seven years in prison.

"Through their alleged actions the defendants corrupted the democratic process and violated the public's trust," Sini said. "This kind of conduct is unacceptable; if you abuse your position of public trust and attempt to disrupt the integrity of the election process, you will be brought to justice."

The investigation did not find that any candidates took part in the alleged fraud.

Kyle Ballou, the secretary of the East Hampton Town Republican Committee, said in a statement that Goodman resigned last week after serving as chairman for approximately nine months. He says Goodman did not resign because of the allegations against him. He would not say why Goodman resigned.

The East Hampton Republican Committee would not comment on the investigation, only saying that it adheres to all laws, rules, and regulations.