Just days after her surprise victory in Tuesday’s midterm election, North Carolina Democrat LaKesha Womack is scheduled to appear in court on a felony charge involving an allegedly unreturned rental car.
Womack was among more than 40 Democrats who captured Republican-held House seats in the blue-wave election. She defeated Republican Rep. Tim Moore in North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District, only weeks after receiving the felony summons at a campaign event.
The newly elected congresswoman is due in court on Nov. 10.
It remains unclear whether the criminal case could affect Womack’s swearing-in to Congress, which is scheduled for Jan. 3.
Womack is accused of failing to return a rental vehicle valued at approximately $20,000 in 2019.
According to the Charlotte Observer, a criminal summons was issued in January 2020 but returned unserved the following month.
The summons was ultimately delivered to Womack on Oct. 11 during one of her campaign events in Polk County.
Sentencing guidelines for the Class H felony charge range from four months to more than three years in prison.
A conviction would not automatically prevent Womack from serving in Congress, although her ability to participate could be restricted.
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Under House rules, lawmakers sentenced to at least two years in prison are expected to forgo committee assignments and party leadership roles.
Even if a lawmaker is convicted of a felony, expulsion from the House would require a two-thirds vote by the full chamber.
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Womack has not directly explained why she is accused of failing to return the rental car.
“Over the past few weeks, allegations involving me have drawn significant media attention and attack ads from Friends of Tim Moore. Candidates for public office should be held accountable and voters deserve transparency,” she said in a statement released last month.
“Throughout this campaign, I have emphasized accountability and affordability. I believe every candidate and elected official should be evaluated by consistent standards, including their record of public service, their decisions in office, and their responsiveness to the people they represent,” the statement continued.
“Accountability, however, must be grounded in facts, fairness, and due process rather than speculation or sensationalism.”
Womack has also said she experienced a medical emergency that led to hospitalization and was homeless around the time of the alleged offense. She has not elaborated on how either circumstance relates to the rental car case, the Charlotte Observer reported.
Womack’s campaign did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.