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He’s got sticky fingers!
An Indiana lawmaker is stepping down after allegedly shoplifting from multiple Walmart stores — and then blaming his lapse in judgment on cognitive decline.
State Sen. Ron Alting, a Republican, was reportedly caught pocketing items at Walmarts in Lafayette and Monticello, and even took his brazen exploits to Naples, Florida, according to the Journal & Courier.
The sticky-fingered lawmaker, who represents parts of Tippecanoe and Carroll counties, announced his resignation in response to the growing GOP embarrassment Wednesday, as medical experts probe his brain health.
“Over the past several weeks, I have been undergoing extensive medical evaluation for concerning changes in my judgment, behavior and cognitive functioning,” Alting claimed in a Facebook post.
“That evaluation has included specialists in neurology, geriatrics and mental health, as well as an MRI and other testing. That work is continuing as my doctors seek a definitive diagnosis.”
Despite the theft scandal, Alting’s name will stay on the upcoming ballot.
If re-elected, the Indiana Republican Party will handpick his replacement through the state’s vacancy process.
“I have great confidence that this process will produce an outstanding leader who will serve Senate District 22 and its people well,” Alting wrote.
“For nearly three decades, the people of Tippecanoe County have entrusted me with something very precious: the opportunity to represent them. I will never be able to adequately express my gratitude for that trust.”
Indiana State Republicans spokesperson Molly Swigart confirmed Alting’s plan to step aside — after nearly 30 years on the job.
“Sen. Alting has notified [Senate President] Sen. Bray of his intent to resign from the Senate should Sen. Alting be re-elected,” Swigart told IndyStar.
Alting has not yet been criminally charged, but prosecutors in Elkhart County have been tapped to investigate multiple theft reports linked to the longtime pol.
“I was shocked when everything developed the last two weeks,” Tracy Brown, chairman of the Tippecanoe County Republican Party, told the Courier & Journal, noting that he felt Alting’s resignation was likely.
“I understand the direction he is taking,” he said.
As of Oct. 16, Alting has $253,498 in his war chest, according to the outlet.
All he would have to do is file periodic reports and still maintain access to the funds — which experts say will likely be dispersed among his allies.
“It could sit around there for years,” Julia Vaughn, executive director of Common Cause Indiana, told the publication.
Indiana state law allows Alting to give away money from his campaign coffers to other candidates and nonprofit organizations without any dedicated timeline.
“Former Sen. Evan Bayh still has an open candidate committee,” Vaughn said.
“The rules at the federal level are different, but they’re similar. You can just keep [these accounts] around for a really, really long time.”