A General Assembly candidate in eastern Baltimore County asked police during the weekend to file criminal charges against his Republican opponent for allegedly destroying campaign signs.
Democrat Jack Sturgill said a campaign volunteer caught Del. Richard Impallaria, R-District 7, defacing a large sign mounted to a truck parked along Punte Lane in Essex Friday. Impallaria was drilling holes in the sign to cover it with his own, Sturgill said, but denied the claim when county police arrived.
“These are the bullies in school that took your lunch money; I just don?t like it,” Sturgill said. “I always think of legislators as making laws ? not breaking them.”
Police said Impallaria claimed Sturgill gave him permission to cover his sign with what proved to be stickers promoting outdated legislation. An investigation will ensue, said police spokesman Bill Toohey.
Impallaria dismissed the complaint as a “frivolous” and “desperate” last-minute campaign strategy. He said he temporarily blocked a Sturgill sign with one of his own during a rally and said Gov. Robert Ehrlich, District 7 State Sen. Andy Harris and state police troopers were present at the time. He denied damaging or removing Sturgill?s sign.
“We obstructed the view during the one hour the event was going on,” Impallaria said. “To me, that doesn?t constitute criminal acts.”
The complaint is the second malicious destruction claim against Impallaria, who has been twice accused of trespassing and assault and battery since the 1980s. Attorneys declined to prosecute Impallaria each time.
Other candidates said they expect sign theft and destruction. Del. William Frank, R-District 42, said vandals cut his name out of several signs along York Road also promoting Del. Susan Aumann.
“I have no reason to think it?s anything but kids,” he said.
Part of the Baltimore Examiner’s 2006 Election Coverage
