LaKesha Womack, a Democrat who recently won North Carolina's 14th Congressional District race, is set to appear in court on November 10 to face a felony charge. The charge alleges that Womack failed to return a rental vehicle valued at $20,000 in 2019.
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a criminal summons was issued in January 2020 and served on Womack on October 11, according to WBTV. Womack defeated incumbent Republican Rep. Tim Moore in the election, securing 51.1% of the vote.
Under North Carolina law, the charge is a Class H felony, which can carry a prison sentence of over two years depending on sentencing factors and the defendant's criminal history. House rules suggest that members formally charged with such a felony should step aside from committee assignments and party leadership positions while the charges are pending.
Womack has previously stated that she was experiencing homelessness at the time of the incident and was unaware that a criminal case had been filed. In a statement to Fox News Digital on Friday, she said, "This historic victory is bigger than me. It is a testament to the power of ordinary people who believe that their voices matter and that leadership should be rooted in service, accountability, and opportunity for all."
When asked about the felony charge on Friday, Womack declined to comment to Fox News Digital. Moore's campaign had previously called for Womack to explain the charges to voters, noting her court date was scheduled for the week after the election.