A Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives has reported that she is facing criminal charges and received a police summons while attending her own campaign event this month. Lakesha Womack, who is vying to represent North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District, currently held by Rep. Tim Moore, stated in a Facebook video that she was approached by police regarding felony charges related to an unpaid rental car from 2019 when she arrived at a campaign event in Polk County, North Carolina, on October 11.
Womack mentioned that she only became aware of the felony case days prior, even though reports indicate it was opened in January 2020. In response, Moore’s campaign remarked that the situation “raises serious questions” and suggested she owes voters an explanation, particularly since her court date is set for just a week after the election.
Moore’s campaign expressed skepticism about Womack’s ability to advocate for the community when she struggles to manage her own issues. They noted, as an attorney with over 30 years of experience, that everyone should be held to the same legal standards. They also offered some “free legal advice,” saying that when a rental agreement ends, so does the right to keep the vehicle.
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Womack was served a criminal summons for felony failure to return a hired vehicle on October 11, though they did not verify that this occurred at a campaign event.
Womack recounted learning about her charges shortly before the event during a conversation with local NAACP members. She shared that in 2019 she faced homelessness and financial struggles, which worsened when a medical emergency required her hospital stay. At that time, her son was placed into foster care, and she struggled to care for him afterward.
Describing her situation, she said, “I’m living in a hotel and, you know, scraping together, you know, dollars to buy food from Dollar Tree.” She added that she couldn’t afford the rental car, leading to it being taken back, and she had no idea about the pending felony charge until recently.
Womack noted that, while she hadn’t publicly shared her plans to be in Polk County, law enforcement seemingly knew her vehicle and arrival details. “They pulled up behind me and served my papers,” she stated, indicating a belief that authorities hadn’t made an effort to locate her for years but suddenly knew her whereabouts.
She also acknowledged in a previous video that she did owe money related to the case, although she thought the matter had been settled, which it turns out had not been the case. Womack explained that she couldn’t receive the January 2020 summons as she was without a permanent address at that time.
This video has apparently since been removed from her campaign’s Facebook page, as she later indicated she couldn’t discuss ongoing legal matters. If found guilty, she might face a sentence of four to 24 months in jail or community service for the charges.
North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District encompasses a mix of suburban areas near Charlotte and more rural regions in the western part of the state.
