HARTFORD, Conn. -- Allegations of forged signatures have tainted the mayor's primary race in Hartford.

The campaign of incumbent Democratic Mayor Eddie Perez showed Eyewitness News copies of disputed petitions and the complaints filed with the state.

The Perez campaign accused the campaign of Democratic challenger Art Feltman, saying some of the signatures that allow him to run in the primary are forged.

What alerted the Perez campaign was the name Louis Caban on Feltman's petition. Caban is Perez's campaign co-chairman.

"The reaction of the campaign was surprising. We had the consultant see what was happening and, of course, he was equally surprised about the fact that his name appeared on the petition."

Caban's wife is also listed, along with Nancy Stephenson and Diana Reyes -- who Perez claimed to be his supporters. They filed complaints with the state that their signatures were forged.

"Like any campaign, they have to address thee questions. These are questions that are matter of facts. There are facts that at least three people have found their names on petitions that they didn't sign. It's important for the campaign to address those," Perez said.

Feltman told Eyewitness News that his campaign submitted 2,400 signatures to qualify. Perez claimed, at most, around 40 are at issue.

Feltman said his campaign had 36 petitioners, of which, only one is being questioned.

Perez said this issue goes beyond one rogue circulator.

"The onus is on the candidate, the campaign and the individual who is participating in the campaign. Everybody has a clear responsibility to follow the law, and that's what they should be doing," Perez said.

The State Elections Enforcement Commission said the circulator, not the candidate, is responsible.

The Perez campaign has asked for an immediate response as to how this happened.

If the signatures are forged, state officials said the circulator could face a civil or criminal punishment.

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