Missing Candidate Signs Found at Campaign Worker's Home

A former commissioned fundraiser for the Ted Paxton for Sheriff campaign is being investigated by the in connection with the alleged theft of dozens of campaign signs belonging to rival candidates in the July 31 primary election.

According to a Sheriff's Office incident report, Schiffley "Randy" Owens told deputies who responded to a domestic dispute call at his home on Friday, July 13, that his wife, Joni Owens, worked for two political campaigns and that she had stolen the signs. One of the deputies did state in the report that he "noticed a pile of signs" on the property.

Paxton confirmed that Owens did work for his campaign, but that she has been terminated.

In a telephone interview Friday, Paxton explained, by saying "There is no indication the signs were stolen. Some new evidence has come to light that suggests they may have been placed on private property. There is a state law that says signs can't be placed in the right of way or on private property without the owner’s permission. Despite what you and everybody else is trying to make of this, there is an ongoing investigation so I can't comment any further."

While Owens could not be reached for comment, the incident report stated, "Ms. Owens said that she removed the signs from her property on [Highway] 369."

Deputies returned to the residence on Saturday, July 14, to collect the signs from Mr. Owens who also gave a statement "regarding the signs," according to the incident report.

Some of the signs taken into evidence at the office belonged to Paxton's rivals in the sheriff's race, Duane Piper and Lauren McDonald. Others belonged to District 4 County Commissioner Patrick Bell and his challengers Bill Mulrooney, Charles Meagher and Cindy Mills; State Senate candidate Steve Voshall; State Representative candidate Geoff Duncan and county coroner candidates Mary Beth Pais and Harold Bennett.

Piper, a former lieutenant with the sheriff's office said, "I'm extremely disappointed that a campaign staff worker, commissioned or not, would participate in trying to undermine any candidate's campaign in that way. It diminishes the public's ability to make an informed decision in the election."

Lauren McDonald, who has filed a complaint with the FCSO against Owens, said she told him weeks ago that she had taken some of his signs.

"I've known Joni for years and when she found out I was running for sheriff, she was angry. She called and chewed me out. She said I had no business running against Paxton and that I should have talked to her before making a decision to run against him. She also said she was sick and tired of seeing my signs and that she had taken some of them down."

Deputies were called out to the Owen's residence a second time on July 13 at about 6:25 p.m., after they were advised by dispatch that a woman was "waving a gun around and fighting with her husband," the incident report stated.

Paxton added, "There is no evidence that she was pointing the gun at anybody or threatening anyone. Citizens have a right to own a gun."

More than a week after the report of stolen signs and the domestic dispute, no arrests have been made.

Ms. Owens is the former president of the . She stepped down from her position in March 2005, according to an e-mail from James McCoy, the current chamber president.

Liz Kennedy contributed to this article.