Jeff Hern entered a plea of guilty Wednesday morning on criminal mischief charges related to the theft of a political opponent’s campaign signs in the 2016 Hamilton County Council Republican primary election.  Reporter Chris Sikich of the Indianapolis Star reports that Hern must pay his primary opponent, Rick McKinney, $891 for the cost of the signs.  Hern will also provide a letter of apology to McKinney and admits to engaging in criminal mischief.

Special prosecutor Brian Eaton from Hancock County said Hern was treated no differently than anyone else in a similar situation with no criminal history.  Neither Hern nor his attorney commented after the court proceedings.

McKinney continues to argue that Hern should resign from his county council seat.  If not, McKinney is now urging Republican Party officials at the state or county level to throw him out of the party, preventing Hern from seeking re-election in 2020.

You can read Chris Sikich’s entire story at this link.