Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon found GUILTY by jury of theft (North Beach: appointed, crime)

[Danbo1957]

But, due to a quirk in Mayland law Sheila could stay in office! Proud days...

Dixon Could Legally Stay In Office In Spite Of Verdict - WBAL Radio - wbal.com

[upinflamezzz]

Ummm. Didn't Marion Barry get caught smoking crack and then get relected?

[janetvj]

I have mixed feelings about this. She was pretty stupid to risk everything for a few lousy gift cards that amounted to about $500. To me, it probably was more carelessness and thoughtlessness than a real criminal streak. I agree with the jurors who said it's more a violation of trust than anything else.

On the other hand, how much of the taxpayers' money was spent on this witch hunt by the state prosecutor over the last 4 years and this is all they could come up with? Aren't there other, more serious crimes to investigate? I'm not excusing the Mayor's behavior, but at the same time was this a good use of time and money to go after her, and that's all they get her on?

[cool rob]

Originally Posted by janetvj

I have mixed feelings about this. She was pretty stupid to risk everything for a few lousy gift cards that amounted to about $500. To me, it probably was more carelessness and thoughtlessness than a real criminal streak. I agree with the jurors who said it's more a violation of trust than anything else.

On the other hand, how much of the taxpayers' money was spent on this witch hunt by the state prosecutor over the last 4 years and this is all they could come up with? Aren't there other, more serious crimes to investigate? I'm not excusing the Mayor's behavior, but at the same time was this a good use of time and money to go after her, and that's all they get her on?

You got a good point

[Zea mays]

Originally Posted by janetvj

I have mixed feelings about this. To me, it probably was more carelessness and thoughtlessness than a real criminal streak.

Not a real criminal streak (whatever that means), but it is a question of venality. One should do the right thing, always.

Originally Posted by janetvj

Aren't there other, more serious crimes to investigate?

Try shoplifting a $5 item in a store and see what happens. Where woud you draw the line on theft by government officials? $1,000? $10,000? Below that limit they get a pat on the back and a 'thank you' for not grifting too much? It's a slippery slope.

[janetvj]

Originally Posted by Zea mays

Not a real criminal streak (whatever that means), but it is a question of venality. One should do the right thing, always.


Try shoplifting a $5 item in a store and see what happens. Where woud you draw the line on theft by government officials? $1,000? $10,000? Below that limit they get a pat on the back and a 'thank you' for not grifting too much? It's a slippery slope.

I don't disagree with you. We should have a zero tolerance for any type of corruption in government. But I'm concerned that this whole investigation came about because State Prosecutor Rohrbaugh just wanted to nail someone, and the bigger the better, and not because there was evidence of wrong doing. It's one thing if you have information indicating that a crime has been committed and then you start an investigation, but to start the investigation first in the hope that you'll find evidence of a crime is something else altogether. It makes me uncomfortable.

[North Beach Person]

A couple of things: the Special Prosecutor is a legislatively created department. It's sole job is to investigate corruption by public officials, both elected and appointed, and in some cases corruption of employees. The MNCPPC had a couple of employees convicted a few years ago for taking bribes from developers. The Special Prosecutor only intiates investigations upon the receipt of a complaint, he doesn't initiate anything because of "let's investigate the ___________." without a complaint and sworn statement from the complainant.
As far as the Mayor's conviction goes, even with PBJ it's still a conviction until the PBJ is fulfilled. The crime can probably be considered malfeasance in office and would warrant removal from office.


Malfeasance in office - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[janetvj]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

A couple of things: the Special Prosecutor is a legislatively created department. It's sole job is to investigate corruption by public officials, both elected and appointed, and in some cases corruption of employees. The MNCPPC had a couple of employees convicted a few years ago for taking bribes from developers. The Special Prosecutor only intiates investigations upon the receipt of a complaint, he doesn't initiate anything because of "let's investigate the ___________." without a complaint and sworn statement from the complainant.
As far as the Mayor's conviction goes, even with PBJ it's still a conviction until the PBJ is fulfilled. The crime can probably considered malfeasance in office and would warrant removal from office.


Malfeasance in office - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

My understanding was that the investigation of Dixon was picked up by the State Prosecutor when U.S. Attorney Thomas M. DiBiagio, who had been investigating the City Council since 2003, dropped that investigation without bringing any charges. DiBiagio was criticized for being overly aggressive, and some felt he targeted certain individuals for political reasons. And Rohrbaugh has been accused of being obsessed with pursuing the case against Dixon.