A former Obama administration communications official faces felony charges after prosecutors say he stole coworkers’ debit cards and used them to purchase kratom at Minneapolis smoke shops.

Adam Fetcher, 42, served as chief communications officer for the City of Minneapolis before his termination in early July. The felony count of financial transaction card fraud stems from alleged purchases totaling approximately $481, according to court documents filed this week by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.

Fetcher’s government career included roles as assistant press secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, press secretary at the Department of the Interior, and deputy national press secretary for President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign. He also held communications positions at Patagonia and Lyft before joining Minneapolis city government.

The Allegations

Prosecutors allege Fetcher used stolen debit cards belonging to multiple coworkers to make purchases at Minneapolis-area smoke shops. Surveillance footage captured him using one of the stolen cards, according to police records.

Three city employees reported missing cash or debit cards during the investigation, which the Minneapolis Police Department submitted to prosecutors. Sources told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that the alleged thefts began shortly after Fetcher returned from a rehabilitation program where he had been seeking treatment for substance abuse.

Store manager Hamza Zamara recalled employees becoming suspicious of the purchases.