Connecticut State Rep. Anne Hughes Charged With Sixth-Degree Larceny Over Opponent’s Campaign Signs

November 4, 2026

Connecticut state Rep. Anne Hughes (D-Easton), who represents the 135th House District (Easton, Redding and Weston), faces a misdemeanor charge of sixth-degree larceny after Easton police issued her a summons over an opponent’s missing campaign signs, according to Connecticut Judicial Branch court records and the Easton Police Department.

What the court record shows

The Connecticut Judicial Branch’s pending-case record (Docket No. F02B-CR26-0370397-S, Bridgeport Geographical Area 2) lists:

  • Arresting agency: Easton police
  • Arrest date: Oct. 31, 2026
  • Charge: Larceny in the sixth degree, C.G.S. § 53a-125b, a class C misdemeanor (one count, offense date Oct. 31, 2026)
  • Bond: $0, promise to appear; released from custody
  • Next court date: Arraignment, Nov. 10, 2026, 10:00 a.m., Bridgeport GA 2

No plea has been entered. The charge is an allegation; no court has ruled.

What police said

According to the Easton Police Department’s Oct. 31 press release, as reported by NBC Connecticut, Patch and the New Haven Register:

  • Police received a complaint from the campaign staff of Darrell Harris, Hughes’ Republican challenger, that several of his political signs had been taken from the roadside in the area of Route 59 and Judd Road.
  • An AirTag tracker attached to at least one of the signs showed it was at a property owned by Hughes.
  • In a follow-up investigation, Hughes returned several signs, including the one with the AirTag.
  • Police said they found probable cause to issue a misdemeanor summons for sixth-degree larceny, and that the investigation remained ongoing.

Under Connecticut law, sixth-degree larceny covers property valued at $500 or less.

Hughes’ statement

In a statement posted to her Facebook page, Hughes said:

“Yesterday I removed lawn signs that shouldn’t have been on public property. I apologize for removing them rather than contacting the police or my opponent’s campaign to remove them, and I take full responsibility and accountability for my actions. Campaigns should be about issues and differences of ideas, not yard signs. I apologize for the distraction, and am committed to having civil discourse with my opponent for the duration of this campaign season.”

Hughes told CT Mirror she had removed signs from several campaigns that she said were discarded or placed on a public right of way, and returned “the whole pile” to police.

Context

Hughes and Harris were on the Nov. 3 ballot for the 135th District seat. Harris told CT Mirror a campaign volunteer had placed AirTags in some signs after repeated disappearances. The signs referenced remarks Hughes made on April 15, 2025, after a Tax Equity Caucus press conference.

Sources

  • Connecticut Judicial Branch, Criminal/Motor Vehicle Pending Case Detail, Docket No. F02B-CR26-0370397-S: https://www.jud2.ct.gov/crdockets/CaseDetail.aspx?source=Pending&Key=70fa79cf-2ad2-4100-b6a1-a9e008c8b033 (search at https://www.jud2.ct.gov/crdockets/parm1.aspx)
  • Easton Police Department press release, Oct. 31, 2026 (as quoted by the outlets below; original not located online)
  • NBC Connecticut, “CT State Representative Anne Hughes issued summons for theft of political signs”: https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/state-representative-anne-hughes-arrested-for-theft-of-political-signs/3790833/
  • Patch, “Easton Candidate Issued Larceny Summons After Opponent’s Campaign Signs Go Missing”: https://patch.com/connecticut/weston-ct/easton-candidate-issued-larceny-summons-after-opponents-campaign-signs-go
  • CT Mirror, “Democratic state rep charged with stealing opponent’s lawn sign”: https://ctmirror.org/2026/10/31/democratic-state-rep-charged-with-stealing-opponents-lawn-sign/
  • New Haven Register, “Connecticut lawmaker charged after AirTag tracks stolen campaign signs to her property”: https://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/easton-anne-hughes-campaign-sign-charge-22504877.php
  • Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-125b: https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_952.htm#sec_53a-125b

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