A former Obama administration press aide, Adam Fetcher, has been charged with a felony for allegedly stealing a coworker's debit card to purchase kratom, a substance with mood-altering properties, from a Minneapolis smoke shop. Fetcher faces one count of financial transaction fraud, according to a formal charging document filed Wednesday.
Fetcher, who previously served as the Chief Communications Officer for the City of Minneapolis, was fired from his role in early July amid a police investigation. The investigation reportedly stemmed from allegations that he stole cash and bank cards from three fellow municipal employees and spent hundreds of dollars at local smoke shops.
The allegations present a new political challenge for Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who has faced scrutiny over unrelated fraud issues involving members of the city's Somali community, a group with which Frey has cultivated close political ties.
Before his city role, Fetcher held significant communications positions during the Obama administration. He served as the assistant press secretary for the Department of Homeland Security for approximately eight months in 2011. Subsequently, he was the press secretary for the Department of the Interior until July 2012, when he moved to become the deputy national press secretary for President Obama's reelection campaign.
Following his career in politics, Fetcher held corporate communications roles at companies including Patagonia and Lyft.
Court records indicate that Fetcher had no prior criminal record beyond traffic violations, and city records show he was earning nearly $200,000 annually as Minneapolis's top communications staffer. It remains unclear why he allegedly stole relatively small sums from colleagues.
Individuals familiar with the matter told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that Fetcher is suspected of taking cash and cards from coworkers' desks and bags shortly after returning from a rehabilitation program. Fetcher had reportedly informed coworkers that he was seeking treatment for a substance abuse problem.
Kratom, often used to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms, can be habit-forming and has faced increasing scrutiny from federal and state authorities in recent years.
Fetcher's attorney declined to comment when reached by Fox News Digital. A representative for former President Obama did not respond to a request for comment.
Fetcher is scheduled to appear in court on August 11.