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Anti-Marriage MD Delegate Charged With Stealing From Campain Fund

Maryland Delegate Tiffany T. Alston is in deep trouble. The Democrat from Prince George’s district has been charged with felony theft, misdemeanor theft, fraudulent misappropriation by a fiduciary and she also violated two election laws. She apparently stole all of this money to pay for the expenses of her wedding. Here is the kicker, Alston is dead set against same-sex marriage.

Apparently, marriage is so sacred and homosexuality so bad, that Alston would vote against it no matter what, but has no problem breaking one of the Ten Commandments because she was getting married. It is alleged that she wrote herself checks and cashing them for at least $3,560 in expenses for her wedding. She also diverted some funds to help pay the salary of an employee in her law firm.

According to the Washington Post:

Alston’s wedding, attended by some fellow lawmakers and sorority sisters, was derided this spring by some gay activists. With whispers and shrugs outside Annapolis hearing rooms, some said it was ironic that so close to the celebration of her own nuptials a lawmaker reversed course and opposed letting gays marry in Maryland.

Now, questions about that wedding threaten to bring down the rising Prince George’s lawmaker as quickly as she burst into public view — and further tarnish a county and a state already racked this year by political scandals.

She faces up to ten years in jail and a fine of $10,000.

Alston, though, denies the charges. She issued this statement saying:

“I emphatically deny any criminal wrong doing and look forward to the appropriate opportunity to address the accusations lodged against me. My family and I would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the hundreds of constituents, friends, colleagues and well-wishers who have reached out with their kind words and prayers. I want them to know that their trust in me will be justified when this process is ultimately concluded.”

According to Jim Cabezas, the chief investigator for the state’s prosecutor’s office, a Prince George’s employee tipped off the office to the alleged wrong doing stating, though, that he will not provide any other details. He stated “Obviously, we’re interested in protecting the identity of that person.”

State Prosecutor Emmet C. Davitt, who was recently appointed by Governor Martin O’Malley, said that there was no excuse for candidates to not know the strict rules that govern the use of campaign contributions. He stated “No candidate or committee can possibly be unaware that campaign funds may not be converted to the personal use of an officer or candidate.”

Alston will remain in office until the case is taken care of.

According to the Washington Post:

Alston was little known out side of her Prince George’s district until this spring. She co-sponsored a bill to legalize same-sex marriage but then left a hearing room with another lawmaker just before the bill came up for a vote. The two lawmakers later returned, but the disappearance delayed the committee vote and amounted to the first of many setbacks that ultimately derailed the legislation.

Before a subsequent vote, Alston introduced an amendment to water down the bill to authorize civil unions, not same-sex marriages. When that failed, she voted against the legislation, saying her vote was “for my constituents.”