City Council Candidate Charged With Theft In Baltimore Co.
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A local activist turned City Council candidate is charged with theft in Baltimore County.
Reverend Westley West is accused of taking money from a business to pay bills for his church.
Rick Ritter has reaction from West and his attorney to those allegations.
It's important to note that West was not arrested, but this is the second time he's been charged in just months. Both he and his attorney say they feel West is being attacked.
Just days after launching his campaign for Baltimore City Council, Reverend Westley West is under fire for his legal history, including new charges out of Baltimore County -- accusations both he and his attorney strongly deny.
"Pastor West did absolutely nothing wrong," said Donald Wright, West's attorney.
According to online court documents, the 27-year-old Baltimore pastor was charged December 29 with one count of theft under $1,000.
According to our news partner, The Baltimore Sun, West allegedly used the bank account routing number of a flooring company in Owings Mills that he worked for last summer to pay his own bills and send money to his church.
The amount allegedly stolen totaled more than $700.
"Pastor West announced his candidacy for the 7th District City Council seat on Sunday, and one day later, we're seeing reports about this charge," said Wright.
The charges come just months after West was arrested for his role in a protest during a pretrial hearing for the officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray. Some charges include attempting to incite a riot and disorderly conduct.
That trial is scheduled for next Thursday.
West asks voters to ignore the negativity and trust him.
"I'm asking you that you do not focus on the false allegations, but that we fully focus on the fight that's ahead," said West.
West now has another trial date scheduled for February 22 in Baltimore County.
West is seeking the Democratic nomination for the 7th District seat held by Councilman Nick Mosby, who is running for mayor.