A former candidate for Lititz mayor was arrested today for allegedly having a relationship with a 12-year-old girl.

Gregory J. Nies, 52, of 148 S. Spruce St., Lititz, was charged by borough police with aggravated indecent assault, unlawful contact with a minor, indecent assault and corruption of minors.

Police said Nies was charged based on allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship with the then-12-year-old girl in 2002 through 2003. He would have been 46 years old at the time.

Nies was arraigned before District Judge Daniel Garrett and released on $150,000 bail pending a preliminary hearing.

Nies was a Republican candidate for mayor of Lititz, and earned a number of votes in the May 19 primary election, despite dropping out of the race earlier this month for "personal reasons."

Nies, ran for mayor in 2001 and 2005, losing twice to incumbent Mayor Russell Pettyjohn.

This year, Pettyjohn decided to step down after 16 years in office.

Nies, who served on Lititz Borough Council from 1994 to 2001, decided to run for mayor again and was endorsed by the Warwick GOP Committee.

But earlier this month, Nies dropped out of the race for mayor against Ronald Oettel Jr., citing only "personal reasons."

Nies is a computer-aided drafting supervisor for Derck & Edson Associates of Lititz.

Check back for updates on this developing story.