Voters in a Manitoba city will face a weird twist on the theme of law and order when they go to the polls on Oct. 25: Three of six candidates seeking to become mayor of Brandon are fighting criminal charges.

Nickolas Avlonitis has been charged with assault and uttering threats resulting from a campaign altercation with rival candidate Deveryn Ross.

Avlonitis, a self-employed contractor, said he became angry early last month when he visited his mother's home and found Ross putting up a campaign sign on her lawn.

"I yelled at him, and I told him to get off the property. And in no uncertain terms, I swore at him, most definitely," Avlonitis said. But, he added, he never touched Ross or Ross's son, who was with him at the time.

"I know, by God, that I'm completely innocent of all the charges," Avlonitis said.

Fraud conviction

Ross has legal problems of his own: the former lawyer is attempting to have the courts review his 10-year-old conviction on two counts of fraud resulting from a failed restaurant venture.

As a result of the 1995 conviction, he was disbarred and forced to declare bankruptcy the following year. In 2004, Ross filed an application to have the case reviewed, and that process is underway.

"I was innocent," he said. "I want a new trial. I want to clear my name once and for all."

Break and enter charge

Candidate Deborah Boschman, who was charged with one count of break, enter and assault, failed to appear in court on Sept. 18, and a warrant has been issued for her arrest. She did not return phone calls from CBC News, and officials in Brandon were unavailable for comment on the matter on Tuesday.

Boschman made headlines in August when her church pastor asked her to find another church because of a letter to the editor in which she criticized city council.

Bethel Christian Assembly pastor Mike Davis said her letter "dishonoured the mayor and city councillors."

Also running for mayor are incumbent Dave Burgess, city councillor Beth Smale and employment counsellor Mike Abbey.

Burgess was first elected mayor in 2002, after serving four years as a city councillor.