DA Drops Charges Against Former St. Helena Sheriff Candidate

GREENSBURG, La. (AP) — Charges against former St. Helena Parish sheriff candidate Frederick D. Bell of Kentwood for alleged insurance fraud and theft have been rejected by the district attorney's office.

Assistant District Attorney Angel Monistere tells The Advocate (http://bit.ly/KnYUGO ) the charges were dropped based on insufficient evidence.

The 36-year-old Bell was arrested and booked on the counts in March.

State police said Bell filed insurance claims for three television sets and a laptop computer that he reported stolen during a burglary in April 2011.

Bell allegedly bought the items at one store, filed those receipts with his insurance claims then returned the items to another store.

But Bell said Monday the charges were unfounded. He said his wife included the items by mistake when listing items stolen during the burglary.

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