Oklahoma mayoral candidate charged with embezzlement

LAWTON, Okla. (AP) — A southern Oklahoma mayoral candidate has been charged with embezzling more than $2,000.

The Lawton Constitution reports that Palmer Lee Moore Jr. was charged Wednesday with felony embezzlement. He's been released on $2,500 bond and will appear in court Oct. 22.

Moore is accused of stealing a bank deposit bag with $2,246 in cash while working at Family Dollar in Lawton June 22. Moore reported the theft to police that day, but Family Dollar manager Michael Schmidt alleges it was staged.

An affidavit says surveillance video shows Moore taking the bag to his vehicle, then returning to the store to report it missing.

The 43-year-old is running for mayor of Lawton, and says he believes the timing of the charges is because of the Aug. 28 primary race. He declined to comment after being charged.

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Information from: The Lawton Constitution, http://www.swoknews.com