Update #2, 8/12: At the Alexandria Echo Press, Travis Gulbrandson reports in DFL committee rescinds endorsement of Judd Hoff after alleged sign thefts:
. . .Both of the Hoffs appeared in court for a hearing Monday morning. The court set unconditional bail for both defendants at $15,000. In the alternative, the defendants may each post $500 cash or a $5,000 bond on standard conditions including remaining law abiding.
The Hoffs have both posted bail. . . .
On Monday, Aug. 12, the executive committee of the Minnesota DFL Sentate District 12 met and rescinded Hoff's endorsement "for cause." It said the decision was based on police actions related to the alleged sign thefts. "In taking this action, we are following the rules, bylaws and recommendations of the State DFL Office," the committee said. . . .[end update]
Update: the Douglas County DFL posted Sunday on its Facebook page:
The Executive Committee of the Minnesota DFL SD12 has met regarding Candidate Judd Hoff's endorsement for State House of Representatives seat 12B.
The endorsement has been rescinded for cause based on police actions related to the alleged theft of advertising and campaign "yard signs." In taking this action, we are following the rules, bylaws, and recommendations of the State DFL Office.
Please address any questions to the State DFL office.End Update
Heckova campaign in Minnesota House 12B.
Bluestem had updated its August 8 post, Updated! Alex police recover over 240 signs at home on 2700 block of Le Homme Dieu Heights, before I started reading the morning papers.
At the Alexandria Echo Press, I saw that Travis Gulbrandson had reported in Charges filed against Wendy and Judd Hoff in Douglas County:
As of Sunday, Aug. 11, both of the Hoffs are in Douglas County Jail.
ALEXANDRIA — Charges have been filed against Wendy and Judd Hoff in relation to the theft of more than 240 signs.
The signs include political campaign signs, real estate signs, special events and advertising.
Wendy Hoff has been charged with felony theft, while Judd Hoff has been charged with aiding and abetting felony theft and felony receiving of stolen property.
The maximum sentence for all of the charges is 5 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.
The charges were filed in Douglas County District Court on Aug. 9.
As of Sunday, Aug. 11, both of the Hoffs are in Douglas County Jail. ..
Many of the signs recovered from the home were covered in black paint, and several of them were repainted with "Vote Hoff, State Representative 12B." . . .
As I suggested in the earlier post about this case, perhaps the repurposing of others' property is related tolow fundraising on Hoff's part:
According to campaign finance records, Hoff's campaign reported taking in $222.99 ib cash and in-kind donations in its amended pre-primary campaign finance report.
An X post about the details:
Judd Hoff, the guy spent a stint in the slammer for an incident involving an American flag and a machete, and who would later go on to dig through his opponent Mary Franson's trash can and mail unopened Christmas cards back to their senders, has raised $119.99 this year. pic.twitter.com/XbaELMFAdr
— Your Unburdened Pal Donavon 🌴🦃 (@hellodonavon) July 30, 2024
Perhaps the campaign planned to repurpose the boosted signs.
Hoff, Judd Bradford
Booking Date: Saturday, August 10, 2024
Booking Time: 8:57 PM
Charges: Theft-Take/Use/Transfer Movable Prop-No Consent
Arresting Agency: Alexandria Police Department
Status: Court Pending
Hoff, Judd Bradford
Booking Date: Saturday, August 10, 2024
Booking Time: 8:57 PM
Charges: Receiving Stolen Property
Arresting Agency: Alexandria Police Department
Status: Court Pending
Hoff, Wendy Beth
Booking Date: Saturday, August 10, 2024
Booking Time: 2:51 PM
Charges: Wrongfully Obtaining Assistance-Theft- By False Stmts,Concealment, Impersonation
Arresting Agency: Alexandria Police Department
Status: ROR
Hoff, Wendy Beth
Booking Date: Saturday, August 10, 2024
Booking Time: 2:51 PM
Charges: Public Assistance/Food Stamp/Food Support - Declaration Requirement
Arresting Agency: Alexandria Police Department
Status: ROR
Hoff, Wendy Beth
Booking Date: Saturday, August 10, 2024
Booking Time: 2:51 PM
Charges: Theft-Take/Use/Transfer Movable Prop-No Consent
Arresting Agency: Alexandria Police Department
Status: Court Pending
I'll keep an eye on the jail roster to see when they're sprung from the hoosegow.
A pair to draw to, as my late father would have said.
Update: A reader pointed out that Hoff had posted a defence of his wofe's actions on his campaign Facebook page. Here it is. with the full text below:
There's a lot of talk circulating about Wendy and I, again, so I'll clear a few things up.Alexandria, prior to my wife's noble beautification efforts, was clogged with ILLEGALLY PLACED signage in the right of ways. Illegal according to both city ordinances, the Department of Transportation, and multiple state laws. All kinds of signs. People sticking them wherever they want. It looked horrible and cluttered, and yes: According to MNDOT, it all counts as litter.In many instances the city and county were mowing around them. Some realtor signs had been in the ditch for years. Years of the county having to mow around them. Such a nuisance, obstruction, liability, and eyesore. In fact, 77% of people consider such illegally placed signage to be just that; an eyesore.Well, Wendy Hoff made no secret of her perfectly legal activities, even posing for pictures that the "victims" (criminals) took of her in action, and this led to APD executing a fraudulently obtained search warrant on our property. We watched them remotely on our cameras as they violated our 4th Amendment rights and illegally entered into our home, and illegally seized OUR property, some 240 signs.We are putting together a lawsuit and will be sueing them for a civil rights violation. Their illegal and unconstitutional, fascist scare tactics won't impress the federal judges in Fergus Falls, and there are dozens of legal precidents and rulings that anyone can easily refer to on this issue. They dont have a leg to stand on. Nothing was stolen, and Wendy was careful to document her own actions so that she could prove later that the signs were all in the public right of way.We are also referring these unconstitutional actions committed by the APD to the US Department of Justice and the State Attorney General's office.Now they have fucked up.Here is a statement from my wife:"I stand with the beautification and safety of our local roads. I have been in communication with someone from the City about the excessive amount of signs throughout the town. All activities have followed with current State and Federal Laws, like the Highway Beautification Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as current City ordinances. I have also utilized MNDot as a resource and communicated with them. Actions of local law enforcement have been based on incomplete information, and once all of my documented items are seen and investigated, I am confident this will be resolved, however I have yet to be contacted by them for this investigation.It is important to keep our roadways clear of distractions and follow our current ordinances when it comes to our public right of way spaces. We all have a duty to insure our public space is just that... PUBLIC SPACE not commercial billboards for only the "privileged" and to insure safe public right of ways without litter or obstacles... so yeah "Those bitches gotta go". "- Wendy Hoff
Apparently, voters should pay attention to his and her potty mouths and not the repurposing others' property.
Image: from Pine and Lakes Echo Journal Douglas County MN Jail In-Custody page.
Related posts
- Updated! Alex police recover over 240 signs at home on 2700 block of Le Homme Dieu Heights
- News digest: DFL House District 12B Judd Hoff endorsement wasn't a winner.
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The man is absolutely insane. "Beautification project?" Whatever. His lawsuit is going to be tossed.
Posted by: Jay H. | Aug 16, 2024 at 03:59 PM
Unfortunately I live next to these lost souls. Before they attempt to beautify Alexandria they should start with the junk yard they live in.
Please pray that they will answer Yahweh's call to surrender all to Him and bow down to Yashua (Jesus) and repent of their sins and be saved from Hell and come to have eternal joy believing the Good News of their Creator.
Posted by: Clayton Lunser | Aug 26, 2024 at 11:38 AM