Charges filed against Minnesota House candidate for sign stealing

(MPR) – A DFL candidate for the Minnesota House disavowed by the state party and his wife have been arrested after police found hundreds of stolen signs on the couple’s property in Alexandria.

Judd Hoff was charged with receiving stolen property and abetting felony theft. His wife, Wendy Hoff was charged with felony theft. The couple was booked into Douglas County Jail over the weekend.

More than 240 yard signs have gone missing in Alexandria over the past few weeks. Police say the majority of these were found in the backyard and garage of the Hoffs’ home after police conducted a search warrant.

According to charging documents, many signs were covered in black paint and repainted with the phrase, “Vote Hoff, State Representative 12B.” Officers were able to scrape the paint off some of the signs, revealing local real estate and political signs underneath. Police say it appeared that the signs were being used to further Judd Hoff’s political campaign.

While police are still determining the exact value of the signs, they estimate that total damages are nearing $5,000.

According to the Douglas County Attorney’s office, the Hoffs appeared in court Monday morning for a bail hearing. The court set unconditional bail for both of them at $15,000.

In a letter to the judge filed in the case, Wendy Hoff argued that the search warrant issued for the couple’s home was obtained by using fraudulent information.

“Each item came into my possession after I ascertained that they were abandoned in the right of way, creating a public nuisance, eyesore and liability,” Wendy Hoff wrote in the letter.

Hoff is running against Rep. Mary Franson, R-Alexandria. In April, a local DFL party unit endorsed Hoff in the House District 12B race, resulting in outcry from Republicans and calls from the state DFL party to rescind their endorsement. In August 2020, Hoff assaulted a person with a machete after a confrontation. According to court documents, Hoff argued he was using self-defense.

On Monday, the Douglas County DFL rescinded their endorsement of Hoff, according to a Facebook post.

Rep. Franson has also accused Hoff of stalking her in the neighborhood where they both live.

The Minnesota DFL party has said Hoff will receive no support or resources from the state party.