---I'll be surprised if there is NO proposal for legislation, to criminalize the forgery of any papers that serve to defame a candidate for federal office. That wouldn't stop rumors, lies and deception, but it would stifle the fabrication of corroborating evidence.---
This is a forgery with attempt to defraud. Fraud does not have to involve money, but can involve an attempt to impede governmental operations or functions. There was a case like this involving campaign fraud in a case in Ohio I believe.
That's enough to get the FBI out asking questions. If persons deny knowledge of this and are later shown to be connected, lying to federal officers will be enough to put them away. The fraud and forgery charges would not even have to be pursued.
A criminal conspiracy to influence a federal election through fraudulent documents, it sounds scary enough to get people singing and denying every which way.
That's exactly the type of case I'd like to read. Do you have more information that might help to find it?
I'm doing a little digging. But just to expand on your "doesn't need to involve money," I agree. But it does have to relate to some present legal right or obligation. One can forge licenses, identification, orders (one reservist was convicted for forging military orders, and getting paid by her employer while "on duty."), etc. Also, wills, contracts, judgements that might affect child custody, etc. In elections, forged or faslified signatures on petitions for referenda or party qualification, forging voter registration papers and the like would also be criminal. But in all cases, a present legal right is affected.
I don't see a present legal right reflected in any of the Killian forgeries.