Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/13/2010 09:21:01 PM PST

SAN BERNARDINO – Councilman-elect Jason Desjardins has been charged with two misdemeanor theft counts for allegedly stealing campaign signs from his opponent and the mayor.

Desjardins, a former Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, declined to comment Wednesday except to say the charges are without merit.

“It’s politically motivated,” Desjardins said.

Desjardins won his first political campaign in November when he defeated incumbent Dennis Baxter to represent the city’s 2nd Ward. The ward includes neighborhoods north of downtown and near Perris Hill Park. The councilman-elect moved to the 2nd Ward to enter the race.

Desjardins entered San Bernardino politics in the months before the election campaign by speaking against a proposal to create a city-run impound yard. Towing company owners objected to the plan on the grounds that the city would gobble up their revenues. The council rejected the proposal.

Baxter said Wednesday that he thinks Desjardins should apologize.

To read entire story, click here.