Felony Summons Served to NC House Candidate Amid 2019 Car Dispute

Lakesha Womack, the Democratic candidate for North Carolina's 14th Congressional District, was served a felony criminal summons on Oct. 11.

The charge stems from a 2019 incident in which Womack allegedly failed to return a rental car. The Polk County Sheriff's Office confirmed that a deputy served the papers at a campaign event in Polk County, though the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office did not verify the specific location.

Womack stated in a Facebook video that she first learned of the case just days before the summons was delivered. She claimed she was made aware of it during a conversation with the Gastonia NAACP branch. This timeline conflicts with public records, which indicate the case was opened in January 2020.

The candidate explained that she was homeless in 2019 after a medical emergency sent her to the intensive care unit. She said she was living in a hotel and struggling to pay for food before she could afford the rental car. Womack noted that she had been unable to receive the original summons because she lacked a stable address.

Rep. Tim Moore, the Republican incumbent, criticized the timing of the disclosure. His campaign stated that the incident raises serious questions about Womack's ability to manage personal affairs. Moore, who has practiced law for more than 30 years, added that all candidates should be held to the same standard of justice.

Womack admitted in a separate video on Oct. 9 that she still owed money for the vehicle. She said she believed the issue had been resolved previously but later discovered it was not. The Oct. 9 video has since been removed from her campaign page, and she said in later posts that she could not discuss the case while it is active.

If found guilty, Womack faces a sentence of four to 24 months in prison or community service. Her court date is scheduled for one week after the election. The 14th District spans western North Carolina, extending from the Charlotte suburbs to rural foothill areas.