High school faculty adviser rigs class elections

MURRIETA — Students at a Southern California high school got a lesson in political corruption after it was revealed that a faculty adviser rigged the election for class president and two other races.

In an email last week to parents, the principal of Vista Murrieta High said the company that handled ballot counting confirmed fraudulent votes made online changed the outcome of elections for 2019 president, 2019 secretary and 2018 president.

“This is a very unfortunate and disappointing situation, and I regret the impact it has had on the students involved and the student body as a whole,” Principal Mick Wager wrote.

District officials would not identify the adviser who took responsibility for manipulating the votes at the school east of Los Angeles. The Riverside Press-Enterprise reported Tuesday that the person had held the job for about a year.

The adviser has stepped down from the position of Associated Student Body Director, but officials did not say whether the person was fired or placed on leave.