Former Marco Island councilman faces charges of forgery, misuse of ID

A former Marco Island city councilman turned himself in Friday to face three counts each of forgery of a ballot envelope and criminal use of personal identification information.

The FDLE says the investigation into Victor N. Rios, 78, began after the March 22, 2019, election of the Belize Condominium Association. After the results of the election were announced, it appeared that several residents who were purported to have voted in the election did not vote, and their signatures on the outer ballot envelopes were forgeries.

A resident filed a complaint with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations, Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares and Mobile Homes, alleging that Rios, the president of the board, committed election fraud and forgery to ensure that he remained on the board. After reviewing the complaint, the allegation was forwarded to the Marco Island Police Department, as forgery is a third-degree felony. The police department reviewed the allegations and asked FDLE to investigate since Rios was a sitting city councilman of Marco Island.

The investigation found that several residents had ballots cast in their names, which they did not authorize and were unaware of. Ballot envelopes contained the personal identification information of the victims, including their names, condo numbers, and forged signatures. FDLE lab analysis of envelopes discovered a DNA profile, which matched the DNA profile of Rios.

Rios turned himself into the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Department of Corrections on Feb. 5 and has since been released on a $30,000 bond.

Rios resigned from the city council in October, citing “personal reasons” and saying he was moving out of the area.

The case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, 20th Judicial Circuit.