Politics brings out the worst in people. Until recently, I believed that the standard of decency for Hawai'i elections was above smear campaigns.

That belief, I have learned, was wrong.

With just a few days left before the Sept. 23 primary, former associates of mine have made public allegations of theft and harassment.

According to statements released by the Liquor Collection, I am accused of stealing thousands of dollars in wine during a brief period of employment. A separate e-mail distributed to the media by an anonymous source contains links to Web sites, whose authorship is attributed to me, containing accusations of sexual and emotional harassment. Also posted on the Web sites are objectionable images, purportedly of myself.

There are two sides to every story. Last November, while under the employ of George O'Hanlon at the Liquor Collection, I was accused of stealing both cash and wine from the store. Under threats of costly litigation, I provided the store with restitution for any items I was accused of taking, as well as a hastily written letter of resignation.

My resignation from the Liquor Collection coincided with a difficult period personally when people with whom I had intimate relationships were attempting to destabilize my life.

During this time, several of my Internet accounts were usurped from my control, including a MySpace.com blog, Xanga blog, and several e-mail accounts.

Nearly every one of these accounts was subsequently used to malign my character. My Xanga and MySpace accounts were rewritten to allege harassment against former friends.

Computer-altered images in which my head was placed on someone else's body were posted in an attempt to support allegations that I was a sexual abuser and compulsive liar. I have attempted on numerous occasions to have the sites removed, but have received no response to my appeals.

No charges or judicial rulings have ever been issued against me for sexual abuse, theft or anything else. On the contrary, I have obtained legal representation and am considering taking legal action against those perpetuating a smear campaign against me.

It is important to note that I agreed to comply with a temporary restraining order petition in June without the court making any finding regarding the veracity of the claims made by myself or my accuser.

In fact, my accuser's petition for a restraining order did not mention abuse of any kind, including sexual, which should cast some doubt on the credibility of those assertions. Our society is based on the rule of law, whereby an individual is innocent until proven guilty. In the eyes of the law, I am innocent of everything I have been accused of.

The feelings expressed by those with personal vendettas against me do not speak for the rest of Hawai'i. No one has the right to use the media to usurp from voters the right to judge my candidacy.

Instead, those individuals associated with this smear campaign should leave their feelings at the ballot box where they belong.

Kris DeRego is a Windward O'ahu candidate for the state Board of Education. He wrote this commentary for The Advertiser.