Posted March 15, 2006 – The former Bush aide who was arrested for allegedly stealing merchandise from Target and other stores has admitted to a store investigator that he fraudulently returned items he didn't buy, according to charging documents.
 
Claude Allen, former domestic policy adviser to President Bush, appeared in court last week on a misdemeanor charge for stealing clothing, cleaning products and other items worth at least $5,000 from Target and other stores in the D.C. area.
 
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Montgomery County Police say they've been able to document at least 25 instances in which Allen tried to obtain refunds for merchandise he didn't purchase. How did he do it? Police say he bought items, took them to his car, then returned to the store, picked up identical items from shelves and took them to the return desk with his original receipt.
 
Allen's attorney says that it's all a misunderstanding.
 
Allen, 45, is scheduled to go to trial April 27. He faces 15 years behind bars if he’s found guilty.
 
Allen resigned from his $161,000-a-year White House job in February, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family. The alleged crimes occurred while he was working at the White House.

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