Covington mayoral candidate Bobby Sigman accused of sign theft

COVINGTON, Ga. — A Covington mayoral candidate is back on the campaign trail after being accused of stealing more than 50 of his competitor's signs.

After officers were tipped off by a complaint, 70-year-old Bobby Sigman was arrested Wednesday in an undercover investigation, Covington police said.

”He did in fact purchase the signs from the individual acting in an undercover capacity, Covington police Capt. Ken Malcom said.

Police said they also found signs in Sigman’s car when he was pulled over. Sigman, a former Covington city councilman and state representative, was charged with theft by taking, criminal trespass and making false statements, all misdemeanors. But he maintains his innocence, saying police were lying.

”We're going to come back. We’re going to win this race, and I will be proven innocent, Sigman told Channel 2’s Sophia Choi.

Choi found signs for Sigman and his rival, Ronnie Johnston, around Covington, but residents said there used to be more.

”All up and down the road, I mean like two weeks ago, there were just signs everywhere.  Now, you know, just seeing a few here and there," resident Lonnie Lytle said.

Johnston and his wife, Kelley, spent the whole day putting up campaign signs.

”It's just sad. It didn't need to happen. I met him a few times, seemed like a fine guy to me and just it's a real shock," Johnston told Choi.

Resident Belinda Hedon said the scandal has made her switch sides.

”I actually had been leaning toward Bobby Sigman, so that's really surprising now, she said.

Covington police said their investigation isn't over. They are asking anyone who had signs stolen from their yard to contact them.