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Politics

Candidate admits past crime

The 38-year-old City Commission challenger used a stolen credit card in 1989.

By ROBIN STEIN
Published February 20, 2007

TARPON SPRINGS - David C. Bolton, a political newcomer running for City Commission, has a past that includes a felony conviction for using a stolen credit card to fund a shopping spree at Countryside Mall.

Bolton pleaded no contest to grand theft and fraudulent use of credit card in 1989, and was sentenced to three years probation and payment of more than $1,000 in restitution, according to records from the Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court.

In an interview last week with the St. Petersburg Times, Bolton chalked up the episode to young mistakes, saying it taught him invaluable lessons.

"It's my trouble. I own it. I'm not running from it," he said.

The 38-year old, who is now an ordained minister, ophthalmic technician and college student, hopes to upset incumbent Commissioner Peter Dalacos on March 13.

Asked to describe his criminal record, Bolton said he was 20 years old in August 1989, when his friend who was house-sitting took a credit card from the Palm Harbor home she had been hired to watch. He said he did not object or intervene when she used the card to charge things over the next two or three days.

"I went along with it," he said.

Bolton admitted he was not just a passive observer; he also made purchases with the card.

But court and police records detail events that differ from Bolton's initial account to the Times.

Nothing in the police reports indicate that the woman hired to house-sit at the Palm Harbor home owned by Jerry L. Kidwell was involved or even aware of the theft of his Discover credit card. Instead, authorities identified Bolton as the central perpetrator.

"Bolton advised ... that he was the one that had stolen the credit card and was the one that had forged the signature of the cardholder, Jerry Kidwell, on all the receipts," the report by Clearwater police investigator Peter R. Kanaris states.

Kidwell told police that when Discover notified him about the overcharged account after his vacation, he phoned Jenny Hunt, the house sitter. Hunt admitted allowing Bolton to stay at the house and was "very cooperative," providing Kidwell with Bolton's contact information and photograph, which he believed matched the descriptions given by several salespeople at stores in the Countryside Mall where charges appeared, according to the report.

When asked about the discrepancies on Saturday, Bolton said that some of the details have become fuzzy over the years, but insisted the house sitter, not he, had been the main instigator.

"She took the card," he said. "She used it - I ended up using it as well."

Bolton said he does not recall telling police otherwise.

"I didn't have an attorney, I was young and I was scared. ... I did whatever they told me to do - and signed what they told me. ... I can remember being completely terrified, sitting in the jail - hoping my father was going to bail me out. I told them whatever they wanted to hear," he said. "I don't remember ever saying I took the card."

Kanaris' report states that officers confronted Bolton at Vision Works on U.S. 19, where he worked. For the first 20 minutes, Bolton denied any involvement. But after 20 minutes of questioning, he admitted "to the theft and its fraudulent use." He also told investigators another friend - a male juvenile who attended Tarpon Springs High School - had accompanied him during the two-day spree.

They turned over the spoils, including two pairs of Thom McCann shoes, an electric razor, Nike sneakers, a black leather watch, a Nintendo game set, and a black leather belt with an alligator finish and a silver buckle.

Bolton and the Tarpon Springs student were arrested and charged with grand theft. Bolton was booked into the Pinellas County Jail. In spring of 1993, Bolton completed his probation - including a six-month extension added after he failed to notify his parole officer about an out-of-state trip the previous summer.

Records show no indications Hunt faced any charges.

Bolton said he never knew what happened to the others and could not say why Hunt was not charged. "You're asking me to remember something from 20 years ago that has been completely vetted," Bolton said.

In his initial interview with the Times last week, Bolton said he had been going through a tough period back then, reeling from a short stint in the military that ended with a discharge during basic training a year earlier .

Growing up, Bolton said he always hoped to follow his father's footsteps in the Air Force, and planned to become a chaplain or medic. But about six weeks into basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Bolton said he had a heart attack.

It was both horrifying, but also strangely relieving, to be diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia, he said. It finally became clear why sports had always been so difficult for him.

But his condition also eliminated any chance of a military career.

Bolton said he returned to Tarpon Springs, lost.

Aside from the credit card incident, Bolton's past includes personal bankruptcy.

Bolton said his finances spiraled out of control because of "overuse of credit card due to medical bills ... [and] my own lack of knowledge."

In July 1994, Bolton filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection, which discharged his debts to collection agencies and auto financiers.

Bolton said he takes responsibility for his actions, served his time and paid restitution. Both experiences fed his passion to become a youth minister and financial counselor, he said.

"It's not a past I'm proud of by any means. I don't think anyone would want to be judged by what they did when they were 19 years old," Bolton said. "But I understand politics."

Fast Facts:

The races

The March 13 election includes two contested races for Tarpon Springs City Commission. Incumbent Mayor Beverley Billiris faces Harry J. Andropoulos, and incumbent Peter Dalacos faces David C. Bolton. Chris Alahouzous is running unopposed for a third commission seat.

The next forum for commission candidates is noon Thursday. Hosted by the Rotary Club, it will be held at the Tarpon Springs Yacht Club, at 350 N Spring Blvd.

[Last modified February 20, 2007, 07:17:04]