3 Men Accused Of Stealing 'Brochin For Senate' Campaign Signs

PARKVILLE, Md. (WJZ) -- The husband of Baltimore County senate candidate Connie DeJuliis is charged with stealing her opponent's campaign signs. DeJuliis is challenging incumbent Senator James Brochin in the Democratic primary.

Political reporter Pat Warren has more on the charges.

The Brochin campaign caught DeJuliis campaign workers carrying off Brochin signs and putting up their own. One of them, Labor and Industry Commissioner Ron DeJuliis, is the candidate's husband.

"It's a new low," said Senator James Brochin. "There's no question about it."

A campaign worker driving past the location Saturday saw DeJuliis signs going up and Brochin signs coming down. Brochin is running for reelection to the state senate.

"I'm disappointed. I think it's sad. I certainly think it's desperate," Brochin said.

According to the police report, Ron DeJuliis told police it was a misunderstanding but a court commissioner charged him with a misdemeanor after Brochin's campaign manager filed a complaint.

"Because this was a misdemeanor, the officer did not effect an arrest. Under Maryland law, an officer must witness a crime in progress in order for an arrest to be made," said Elise Armacost.

It was the district court commissioner's decision to charge DeJuliis and two other men with stealing Brochin's signs.

WJZ asked Brochin what this says about the nature of the campaign.

"The charges is theft so I guess you're asking what's the significance of them stealing my campaign? I don't know. Are there other issues we could be talking about, other things we could be doing?" Brochin said.

WJZ made several attempts to reach the DeJuliis campaign but they have yet to respond to our request for comment.

The Brochin signs were still at the scene when police arrived and were returned to the Brochin campaign.

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