Roanoke Councilman Brian Wishneff feeds at the trough of self-righteousness. So it comes as no surprise that he'd clamp his jaws around any scrap of ego-induced hope and seek a recount that left him 102 votes shy of retaining his council seat.

Wishneff's margin of defeat would have been much wider had voters known Tuesday what they know today: He seemingly violated election laws by using a fictitious name, Joe Smith, to buy full-page ads Sunday and Monday to smear opponent Court Rosen. The commonwealth's attorney should make haste in investigating.

Wishneff owned up to his deception just as the polls were closing. Even then, he blamed a Roanoke Times sales representative for failing to inform him of campaign laws -- which, in typical Wishneff fashion, divorces truth from reality.

Wishneff's "integrity matters" campaign slogan is selective in its application. Integrity requires one to act always in an honest manner. Integrity doesn't tolerate cheaters nor fault others when caught in the wrong.

Rather than seek a recount, Wishneff should hang his head in shame for deceiving voters and scurry off stage. He and his brand of "integrity" will not be missed.