CLEARFIELD, Pa. — Five days before the Pennsylvania primary, a U.S. House candidate who has touted his Eagle Scout background in TV ads was charged with felony burglary and criminal trespass stemming from an encounter last year with an ex-girlfriend.

Derek Walker, a 32-year-old financial planner, said in a statement released by his campaign that the charges are politically motivated, an accusation the district attorney denied. He is one of nine candidates seeking the GOP nomination in a race to fill an open seat in a sprawling north-central Pennsylvania district. Three Democrats are also running.

Authorities said the charges were the result of an early morning confrontation Aug. 25 with his former girlfriend at her apartment in Clearfield.

According to a police complaint, Walker showed up at the apartment after the woman, who had left the door open because it was warm, had returned there with a longtime male friend she met at a bar.

The two heard Walker say, "This video is going to put an end to your job with the school district," and saw Walker with a cell phone in his hand, the complaint said.

He left after making the comment.

"The impression of both victims was that Walker had videotaped them," police said.

Walker, of Bigler, was also charged with disorderly conduct, stalking, criminal attempt-invasion of privacy and invasion of privacy, all misdemeanors.

Police said Walker had told them he had knocked and had been in the apartment to "smooth things over."