Bush 'shocked' as ex-adviser is charged with shoplifting

Jenny Eagle
Telegraph.co.uk
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Washington (US):
A former senior White House aide has been arrested on shoplifting charges, causing an embarrassed President George W Bush "shock and disappointment".
Claude Allen, 45, who resigned last month as the President's top domestic policy adviser, is alleged by police in Montgomery County, Maryland, to have claimed refunds for more than $5,000 (£2,890) worth of merchandise he had not bought.
He had been under investigation since January over 25 alleged thefts from Target and Hecht's department stores.
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See Also:
Arrest of former Bush aide surprises friends, colleagues
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Mr Bush said: "If the allegations are true, Claude Allen did not tell my chief of staff and legal counsel the truth, and that's deeply disappointing."If the allegations are true, something went wrong in Claude Allen's life, and that is really sad."
Mr Allen was the number two official at the Health and Human Services Department before being appointed domestic policy adviser at the White House early last year. He resigned on February 9, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.
Mar 12, 2006