Congressional candidate prosecuted in N.H.

MANCHESTER, N.H., Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Prosecutors allege New Hampshire congressional candidate Gary Dodds faked a disappearance to gain publicity in his 2006 campaign.

The documents claimed he staged a car crash and disappeared for 24 hours in April 2006 because he believed it would strengthen his Democratic Party primary campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives, WMUR-TV in Manchester, N.H., reported Monday.

Investigators said Dodds took out two mortgages on his property without his wife's knowledge to finance his failing campaign.

Dodds has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident and causing an unnecessary search.