ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Robert Melanson is running for the District 3 seat on the Orange County Commission, but a checkered criminal past may make his candidacy a rocky one.
He is currently wanted in Los Angeles on an arrest warrant charging him with failure to appear, California officials said.
Melanson has also faced drug, theft and burglary charges in Massachusetts, his probation officer said.
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In a case that made national headlines, Melanson was charged with trespassing after private security guards found him on the roof of pop star Rihanna’s Los Angeles home in 2013, the officer said.
While his criminal history does not prohibit Melanson from running for office, it does raise serious questions as to his ability to play the role of commissioner, WFTV political analyst Rick Foglesong said.
Melanson filed a campaign treasurer’s report on Monday with the Orange County Supervisor of Elections. It listed a single $20 self-contribution and no expenditures.
Melanson could not be reached in person for comment but said via text message that his criminal history, including the incident with Rihanna, was “ancient history.”
His background has strengthened his character and made him “more transparent than any politician,” he said.
Melanson said he was out of the country on Monday and did not have the ability to talk via phone but would be available for a comment by the weekend.
WFTV
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