Grays Harbor County Commissioner Frank Gordon pleaded not guilty of defacing political advertising when he appeared for arraignment in Aberdeen Municipal Court on Tuesday.

The charge is a misdemeanor, punishable by no more than 90 days in jail and/or a fine of no more than $1,000. The defacement or removal of each item constitutes a separate violation, according to state law.

In September, Gordon was accused of stealing the campaign signs of his political challenger, Randy Ross. (Ross, running as an independent, beat Gordon, a Democrat, last week in the General Election.)

Gordon has denied stealing the signs, saying he was moving them as a courtesy to Ross.

A trail camera had been set up by one of Ross’ supporters at the corner of Willow Street and Sumner Avenue in Aberdeen, and the photos showed Gordon walking through the frame empty handed, and then walking back through the frame with Ross’ campaign signs in his hand.

Gordon said he found the signs on the ground and picked them up to drop them off near one of Ross’ larger campaign signs so they would be seen and stood up by Ross or someone from his campaign. Gordon denied pulling the signs from the ground, and none of the photos provided to the media show Gordon removing standing signs.

Gordon also was accused by PUD candidate David Jennings of removing one of his signs from a fence post in a separate incident. Gordon said he had permission, and later the property manager corroborated Gordon’s account.

On Tuesday, Gordon appeared in front of pro-tem Judge Chris Coker. Gordon is represented by Aberdeen attorney Jack Micheau.

Gordon will return to court on Dec. 13.