Campaign worker admits sign theft

Norman Alton had reached his boiling point.

The campaign volunteer for Mayor Ellen O. Moyer angrily yanked the two signs for her opponent Gil Renaut out of the ground, threw them in the back of the van, then dumped them on the State House lawn.

It might have been just another anonymous sign theft during election season - except county Ethics Commission member and former mayor Richard L. Hillman saw Mr. Alton do it.

Since then, the sign swiping's turned into something more embarrassing, with Mr. Alton denying it, Ms. Moyer criticizing Mr. Renaut, and Mr. Alton then confessing yesterday afternoon.

The incident is a...