Covington Mayoral Candidate Bobby Sigman Charged in Sign Thefts to Drop Out of Race

COVINGTON, Ga. - A Covington mayoral candidate accused of stealing his opponent's campaign signs is dropping out of the race.

Bobby Sigman made the announcement an hour after police released undercover video of the alleged crime Tuesday.

The video showed Sigman, 70, stuffing signs of his opponent, Ronnie Johnston, into the back of his truck and paying a person in a car with a $50 bill.

"This was not an isolated incident. This was something that we believe would have continued if the investigation had not occurred and the arrest had not occurred," said Covington Police Captain Ken Malcolm.

Police launched the investigation Oct. 12 after residents told Johnston that his signs were being stolen from yards.

Investigators say Sigman purchased more than 50 Johnston mayoral candidate yard signs from an undercover agent. The signs had been stolen from yards in the Covington area.

Sigman did not deny that he was in the video and said he made "a bad decision." He said he did not mean any harm and apologized to all his supporters.

Last week, Sigman was adamant that he had been set up by Covington police. However, he told FOX 5 reporter Portia Bruner Tuesday that he is now not going to fight the charges.

Sigman faces several charges including theft by taking, criminal trespass and making false statements.

Authorities say Sigman could also be charged for each of the 68 signs that were recovered.

Investigators have not said if the men Sigman paid to steal the signs will be charged.

Covington Mayoral Candidate Charged in Sign Thefts to Drop Out of Race: MyFoxATLANTA.com