The ex-wife of a Maine lawmaker is facing criminal charges after she allegedly stole campaign signs that were in support of the legislator’s opponent.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office issued a summons on Oct. 6 to Trisha Eaton, 37, of Deer Isle for criminal mischief and unlawful removal of temporary signs, according to a police report.
She is the ex-wife of Rep. Holly Eaton, D-Deer Isle, who condemned the incidents and said the campaign signs were supporting her Nov. 5 election opponent, Jason Joyce, a Swan’s Island lobsterman running as an independent after losing the 2022 election as a Republican.
It is the latest in a string of political sign stealing incidents reported throughout Maine in recent weeks. Holly Eaton said in a Thursday interview the signs for Joyce were taken from at least two Deer Isle homes.
Hancock County law enforcement also said unidentified political signs were reported missing from the towns of Surry, Castine and Brooksville between Oct. 2-7, but police did not indicate whether all incidents were connected.
Criminal mischief is a Class D misdemeanor that can result in up to a year in jail and a maximum $2,000 fine, while unlawfully removing temporary signs is a civil violation that can lead to a $250 fine. Trisha Eaton denied stealing a sign in a Thursday message to a reporter.
“I simply moved it and it had absolutely nothing to do with politics!” she wrote.
Holly Eaton said in an Oct. 6 Facebook post she does not condone her ex-wife’s alleged behavior, which was captured on video. She and Joyce issued a joint statement when they were also running against each other in 2022 condemning the stealing of political signs that year.
Joyce said in a Thursday message he was thankful one of his supporters captured the sign stealing on camera and that he hopes for “an eventual court ordered donation to our campaign by those who sought to deny free speech of my supporters.”
Holly Eaton said she contacted Joyce and the two Deer Isle residents who had the campaign signs in their yards before police said they were stolen, adding she would “fully support” any action they take in response to the alleged criminal behavior.
