PORTLAND, Ore. - There's a new twist in the effort to recall Portland Mayor Sam Adams - a local journalist has been arrested.

Lee Perlman, a reporter for the Hollywood Star newspaper and other local publications, was arrested and booked Thursday morning on criminal mischief in the third degree.

According to police, Perlman approached volunteers with the recall effort acting as if he wanted to sign a petition and instead, he allegedly scribbled on the sheet, potentially invalidating the signatures of eight other people who had signed it.

"I think it's a tragedy," said Jasun Wurster with the Community to Recall Sam Adams.  "I think that when one individual tries to silence eight other citizen's voices, that is not what the Democratic process is about.

Meanwhile, the signature gathering continues across town.

According to the group heading up the recall effort, 7,000 signatures have been gathered so far.  They need 32,000 valid signatures in the next 52 days.  The group says their goal is 50,000.

Update: According to the City Auditor, the petition can still be submitted since the signatures are still valid.