A federal complaint alleging former 2nd Ward Alderman and mayoral candidate Michael Welsh sold illegal Boy Scout patches has been dropped.

The U.S. attorney’s office in Richmond, Va., dismissed the case last week, saying, “There is evidence that other people are doing it, and it’s not clear who’s authorized and who is not,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Joan Evans. “We did not see a consistent approach by the Boy Scouts.”

Welsh, who owns the patch-making company Welsh Industries Ltd., was arrested Aug. 9 at the National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia for allegedly selling illegal Boy Scout patches, which would be a copyright law violation.

If he was convicted, Welsh would have faced a fine of up to $1 million. Welsh was released Aug. 12 on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond.

In a press release issued Friday, Welsh stated, “We have been notified this week that the U.S. attorney in Richmond, Virginia has found no reason to prefer any criminal charges, copyright or otherwise, against Welsh Industries Ltd. or Michael Welsh.”

The press release continued to state, “We will continue to manufacture thousands of emblems each day for our national markets and continue to productively employ 50-plus employees from the area.”

Welsh was defeated by current DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow last April.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.