AUGUSTA – A Republican political operative was sentenced Tuesday to two days in jail for forging signatures on legislative nominating petitions last year.

A Kennebec County Superior Court jury deliberated for 45 minutes before finding Scott Anthoine of Lewiston guilty of false swearing. Justice Donald Marden sentenced Anthoine to 30 days in jail, with all but 48 hours suspended.

Anthoine was charged in connection with an invalidated nominating petition filed in March 2000 on behalf of a would-be Republican candidate from Hallowell for the state House of Representatives.

The first three signatures on the petition, including that of a woman who was deceased, had been forged.

State prosecutors sought a 30-day sentence with all but 10 days suspended. Assistant Attorney General Leanne Robbin said she was satisfied with the sentence ordered by Marden.