Harlan Man Charged with Forging City Official's Signature

A Harlan man is in legal trouble after being accused of forging a Carroll city official's signature in a failed home purchase attempt. Patrick James Gaul, 41, was arrested by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office on January 14 and faces a class D felony charge of forgery.

According to court records, Gaul allegedly created a document that falsely claimed the City of Carroll owed him $430,000, which he used as proof of financing for a real estate deal between September and December 2024. An investigation revealed that he forged the signature of a city council member to enhance the document's credibility.

Gaul is set to appear in court on February 18 at the Shelby County Courthouse. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison and fines of $7,500.

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