RIVERDALE, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
A CBS Atlanta News investigation has uncovered a state house candidate from Riverdale who has a criminal history that includes a conviction for grand larceny.
Linda Becquer-Pritchett, 42, is running to represent Georgia's 63rd district. That district includes portions of Fulton, Clayton and Fayette counties.
"I went to court and I dealt with the case and paid my fine and that's all I have to tell you," said Pritchett about misdemeanor charges filed by the College Park Police Department in November 2008.
According to court records, Pritchett was charged with a handicap parking violation, failing to have vehicle insurance, operating an unregistered vehicle, concealing the identity of a vehicle, and unlawful manufacture of license plates and decals. The incident report indicated Pritchett had a fake paper "decal" taped on her license plate covering an expired sticker.
Pritchett pleaded no contest to the charges and was fined and sentenced to 50 hours of community service, according to Fulton County State Court documents.
That was the second time Pritchett was convicted of tamperting with license plates.
In June of 2004, Pritchett pleaded guilty to altering or forging license plates, while she lived in Virginia. A court records search uncovered two other convictions on Pritchett's record for driving without an operator's license in 1999 and an expired registration in 2003.
Records from Alexandria Circuit Court in Virginia show Pritchett, who used the last name Becquer at the time, was arrested for stealing $239.10 worth of merchandise from Target in 1999. She pleaded guilty to grand larceny in 2000.
Pritchett was also arrested in 2006 and charged with attempt to commit credit card fraud and attempt to commit identity fraud. The charges were dropped and she pleaded guilty to two lesser charges of petit larceny in Fairfax County General District Court.
"I was a victim of a financial crime," said Pritchett. "Something took place in which I was there and I was not involved in that crime. It's not my intention to commit any crimes."
Pritchett would not explain how she could be convicted of multiple crimes when she was the victim. The candidate stopped the interview, removed her microphone and drove away.
TJ Copeland is running against Pritchett in Democratic primary election on July 31.
"I hope this is a part of her life she's put behind her and she's flying straight and narrow now," said Copeland.
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