A Virginia man pleaded guilty to charges that he forged signatures on primary campaign ballots for Newt Gingrich's campaign during the 2012 Republican primary, to ensure that Gingrich got on the state's ballot.

WVIR-TV reports:

In December of 2011 Newt Gingrich needed 10,000 signatures to get his name on the Virginia presidential primary ballot. Adam Ward, 28, collected more than 11,000 signatures according to prosecutors. More than 4,000 signatures could not be verified by investigators.

Tuesday night, Ward pleaded guilty to 36 counts of voter fraud and perjury in Augusta Circuit Court.