Overview
- The campaign ad released Wednesday accuses Democratic challenger Janelle Stelson of exposing herself to a child and displays a document labeled “AFFIDAVIT,” but local reporting found the paper is a notarized supporter statement rather than a sworn affidavit.
- Neighbor Sharon Orr provided the written complaint saying she called police about an Aug. 14 incident, East Pennsboro officers confirmed they responded, no criminal charges were filed, and the alleged photograph has not been made public.
- East Pennsboro police denied a Right-to-Know request for records and cited investigatory exemptions, and the police chief’s office has not released incident reports tied to the complaint.
- Stelson’s campaign calls the allegation a politically motivated smear and says it is considering legal action, while other neighbors dispute Orr’s account and suggest flesh-toned clothing could explain the sighting.
- The ad was personally approved and paid for by Rep. Scott Perry’s campaign, reviving a close 2024 rematch and raising ethical and legal questions about mislabeling documents in political advertising and how campaigns verify sensitive claims.