DM Runs Shoplifting Life Of Controversial GOP Elizabeth Lauten

Elizabeth Lauten

Ashley Collman and Mia De Graaf and Kieran Corcoran | MailOnline

• Elizabeth Lauten resigned from her position working for a Republican after criticizing the first daughters in an inflammatory Facebook post
• Lauten called Sasha, 13, and Malia Obama, 16, 'classless' for their clothes and attitude at the annual White House turkey pardoning 
• Court records indicate Lauten, 31, was arrested for shoplifting from a department store at the age of 17 
• Was also ticketed for speeding and running a red light in Virginia at 19
• White House spokesman Josh Earnest responded to Lauten's comments on Monday, saying the first daughters should be off-limits to criticism

It has been revealed that Elizabeth Lauten, the former GOP staffer who called Sasha and Malia Obama 'classless,' was herself arrested for shoplifting as a teen. The GOP staffer who was forced to resign today after calling the first daughters 'classless' is now being exposed as a hypocrite.

Elizabeth Lauten, 31, stepped down from her job as communications director for a Republican representative after her Facebook diatribe against Sasha and Malia Obama's behavior and dress at the annual Turkey pardoning sparked outrage online.

Evidence has now emerged indicating Lauten didn't exactly practice what she preached when she was a teen, growing up out of the public eye in North Carolina.

When Lauten was 17,  just a year older than the president's eldest daughter Malia, she was caught stealing from a Belk department store in her hometown, according to court records obtained by the Smoking Gun.

Lauten was charged with misdemeanor larceny for the crime in December 2000, but since she was a first-time offender she qualified for the District Court's deferred prosecution program and the charges were eventually dropped.

Public records also show that Lauten was ticketed at the age of 19 for speeding and running a red light in Virginia.

MailOnline reached out to Lauten for comment, but she did not respond to calls or emails.

The Obama Administration responded to Lauten's comments on Monday, with White House spokesman Josh Earnest saying he was surprised a congressional staffer would use a Thanksgiving-themed event to criticize the first family.

He says individuals who frequently speak publicly tend to be mindful of how their words are perceived. Earnest added that it's common sense that first daughters should be off-limits to criticism.

Earlier Monday, after thousands of calls for the self-professed media expert to be sacked, Lauten agreed to resign from her post as communications director for Rep Stephen Fincher of Tennessee.