It sounds crazy, but this kind of scenario is absolutely the norm for Democratic Socialist candidates: Being convicted of blatant criminal embezzlement is a badge of honor, not a disqualifying mark on their record. The complete inversion of moral standards is unsettling and it reinforces the need to prevent far-left activists from entering positions of local government.
Denver mayoral candidate, Shontel Lewis, stole thousands of dollars in EBT funds while working in the state food-stamp office in 2008. She says that the experience actually makes her "more qualified" for the job of mayor, ostensibly because this makes her more attuned to the needs of "struggling Denver citizens".
But maybe struggling Denver citizens should not be the deciding factor in who runs the city? Perhaps electing a thief to office will make their lives worse, not better.
Investigators identified seven benefit accounts Lewis accessed over five months while working at the state food-stamp office. She reissued EBT cards from other people’s accounts and gave the funds to her roommate (and used some herself). She originally faced felony charges, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft, served 18 months of probation, and later said she paid restitution in full.
Colorado's constitution restricts anyone convicted of "embezzlement of public moneys, bribery, perjury, solicitation of bribery, or subornation of perjury” from holding “any office of trust or profit in the state.” However, Lewis has been snaking past these rules for years. Similar concerns were raised when she ran for the Regional Transportation District board in 2018.
At that time she
