BANGOR, Maine (AP) — A Republican candidate for the Maine Senate dug up his Democratic opponent’s conviction for removing beaver traps as payback for a Democratic press release that named Republican candidates with criminal records.

The Portland Press Herald reports Republican James LaBrecque sent out a mailer inviting residents to learn about Democratic Sen. Geoff Gratwick’s “criminal conduct.”

Gratwick was cited and fined $248 after he removed two beaver traps 17 years ago. He says the traps near his home upset his children, but he didn’t know he was breaking the law. Gratwick jokes the citation was part of his “deep, nefarious past.”

The stunt comes after the Maine Democratic Party highlighted that four Republican candidates had criminal backgrounds. One was convicted of drug trafficking charges in the 1980s.