American Mayor Accused of Stealing $18,000 Worth of Machinery From Dead Man

Mayoral corruption in the United States isn't anything new, but this particular case is a unique one.

Adam Bequette, the mayor of the small Missouri town of St. Mary, has been accused of stealing an $18,000 skid steer from a man who passed away in March, according to reports. A skid steer is a machine used in landscaping and construction to move and lift heavy materials.

According to Fox2Now, the skid steer had been on a property on Cemetery Road in St. Mary, but when the deceased man's relatives went to get it, they couldn't locate it. 

Police investigated the matter and learned that Bequette had instructed city officials to move the machine, claiming that it was blocking access to city water lines, per PEOPLE. Bequette also says he attempted to contact the man's family before having the vehicle moved, but investigators found no evidence to verify that claim.

Bequette has been charged with felony theft and tampering. It's not the first embarrassing headline the Missouri government figure has had in recent months.

Bequette was once a licensed police officer, but in September 2024, the Missouri Attorney General filed a complaint seeking to discipline him or strip him of his license over two reports domestic violence.

Because Bequette did not officially respond to the complaint, Fox2Now says, the Attorney General was awarded a default decision.

Bequette previously was elected mayor of St. Mary in April 2024, defeating incumbent Carlton Wyatt.

"I ran on a platform of positive change for our community, and during my first term, I have striven to be your voice, addressing past issues and working towards a fairer future," Bequette's official Facebook page says.

According to records, Bequette is due in court on the tampering and theft charges on July 16.