Lexington County Council candidate Wes Howard is facing a petit larceny charge that he says stems from a dispute in the divorce of his father and stepmother.

Howard is accused of taking $1,261 in unspecified items Oct. 26 from the Simpsonville home of his father, Leroy Howard, according to records provided by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Department.

Wes Howard said he is estranged from his father.

His father is upset about clothing he and his stepmother, Vilma, took from the man’s house for his two young half-sisters, Wes Howard said. The elder Howard could not be reached for comment.

Leroy Howard made the complaint about missing items to deputies on March 28, three days after his son became a candidate, records show. No complaint was made against his estranged wife, who no longer lives in his home, Deputy Laura Campbell said.

The younger Howard surrendered to authorities May 4. He is seeking a jury trial in magistrate court.

Petit larceny is a misdemeanor, with a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and a fine of $1,000. A conviction wouldn’t keep Howard from holding office.

Wes Howard faces attorney Kent Collins in the June 12 Republican primary election for a council seat in District 3, which includes most of the town of Lexington and surrounding area.

No Democrat is running, although some of the four Republicans removed from the ballot for failure to file economic disclosure statements properly may run as independents on the Nov. 6 ballot.

Reach Flach at (803) 771-8483.