Baltimore Mayor Charged With Theft

Sheila Dixon Indicted For Perjury, Accepting Illegal Gifts

(AP)  Mayor Sheila Dixon was indicted Friday on charges that she accepted illegal gifts during her time as mayor and City Council president, including travel, fur coats and gift cards that she allegedly used for a holiday shopping spree.

A grand jury indicted Dixon on 12 counts, including four counts of perjury and two counts of theft over $500. She was also charged with theft under $500, fraudulent misappropriation by a fiduciary and misconduct in office.

The State Prosecutor's Office, which has been investigating corruption at City Hall for nearly three years, said Dixon received holiday gift cards for four years from several people. Prosecutors said the gift cards were to be distributed to needy families, but were instead used by Dixon to buy herself electronics, clothes and other merchandise and also handed out to members of her staff.

"I am being unfairly accused," Dixon said in a statement. "Time will prove that I have done nothing wrong, and I am confident that I will be found innocent of these charges."

Dixon said she would not step down. "I will not let these charges deter me from keeping Baltimore on the path that we have set, or from carrying forward the significant progress we have made thus far," she said.

Dixon, a Democrat, served on the City Council from 1988 through 2007 and as council president from 1999 through 2007. She became mayor in January 2007, finishing the term of Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley, and was easily elected to a full, four-year term later that year.

The indictment against Dixon does not name Ronald H. Lipscomb, a prominent developer who briefly dated the mayor and who was indicted Wednesday on one charge of bribing a City Council member. However, previous court documents leave no doubt that Lipscomb is the "Developer A" mentioned in the indictment who showered the mayor with gifts and took several lavish trips with her in late 2003 and early 2004.

Both were married at the time, although they were separated from their spouses. Dixon has since divorced.

[exaf74]

Just gotta luv politicians! LMAO!

[platteman]

Typical CBS BS. 6 paragraphs down, she is a Dem. Were it a republican it would have been headlines. Why? Why? Why?
Guess the liberal media don''t want to report the real truth.

I know Bush made her take the money.!!

[usclimey]

At least democrats are caught for minor offences, not whole scale slaughter of the Constitution like Nixon, (I can''t remember) Ray-gun, (I was out of the loop) Bush Sr., and everything that Bush II and Cheney have ever done.

[usclimey]

Typical CBS BS. 6 paragraphs down, she is a Dem. Were it a republican it would have been headlines. Why? Why? Why?
Guess the liberal media don''''t want to report the real truth.

Posted by Platteman

Oh give it a break you whining wankers. She''s black, female and mayor of an Eastern city. Three obvious reasons she couldn''t be a Republican.

[gotagrip]

Like kwame kilpatrick, dixon fits the profile of an incompetent, lying, crook who should never have been allowed in public service.

How could anyone be surprised?

Posted by Obam-Baboon

While you are completely correct in your post, the name you choose to identify yourself shows you should not be trusted since you appear to be a racist. Congrats on your recent election results! Seems the nation disagrees with you. Please, come join the modern world or move to Afghanistan.

[jackp32]

Another corrupt Dem politician. You don''t say.

[credibility2]

What''s the matter with these politicians? Aren''t their salaries sufficient? Greedy swine that they are; my apologies to the animals!

Typical CBS BS. 6 paragraphs down, she is a Dem. Were it a republican it would have been headlines. Why? Why? Why?
Guess the liberal media don''''''''t want to report the real truth.

Posted by Platteman
----------------------
If she were a republican, then her fellow republicans would be accumulating themselves around her in support and protection.
A crooked little practice you don''t see with the democrats!!

[presjfk]

If the FBI investigates all the politicians, we wouldn''t have a Congressman or Senator left...they would all be in jail.

[libh8er]

Typical CBS BS. 6 paragraphs down, she is a Dem. Were it a republican it would have been headlines.
Posted by Platteman

Because they''re a biased bunch of losers who are and always have been in the tank for liberals?

[ustaxpayer]

Maybe the Mayor put those gift cards to a better use than giving them to the poor because they might have just traded them for crack or meth. There may be method to her madness, you go girl.

[used2bfedup1]

Typical CBS BS. 6 paragraphs down, she is a Dem. Were it a republican it would have been headlines. Why? Why? Why?
Guess the liberal media don''''''''''''''''t want to report the real truth.

Posted by Platteman
----------------------
If she were a republican, then her fellow republicans would be accumulating themselves around her in support and protection.
A crooked little practice you don''''t see with the democrats!!

Posted by hadenough43 at 04:54 PM : Jan 09, 2009

Boy isnt that the truth. Blago was impeached 114 to 1 democrats and republicans alike. If Blago had been a Republican the vote would have been down party lines.

I was wondering if anyone else had been noticing that.

[endurorob]

If the FBI investigates all the politicians, we wouldn''''t have a Congressman or Senator left...they would all be in jail.

Posted by presjfk at 04:58 PM : Jan 09, 2009

Maybe that would be a good thing. Or maybe if they prosecute enough of them it will encourage the tesy to straighten up their act. Not that I am pronouncing her guilty but she sounds just like Blago. I did nothing and I will not step down.

[notopennshut]

Parrots all - whenever any of them are caught, without fail, all will declare "innocence" and "exonerated". Do they not realize that the evidence has been piling up over months and years? Are these the kind of dumbos we keep on putting in top positions all over this country? Is this a country where there are no more honest "politicians"?

[endurorob]

Boy isnt that the truth. Blago was impeached 114 to 1 democrats and republicans alike. If Blago had been a Republican the vote would have been down party lines.

I was wondering if anyone else had been noticing that.


Posted by used2bfedup1 at 05:02 PM : Jan 09, 2009

I just lstend to the 1 guy who voted no and he said it was because thats what he felt like doing. Couldn''t give any specific reasons and he sounded almost illiterate.

[questionnews]

There''s three things I can''t stand!

Corrupt greedy politicians.
People who are intolerant of other people''s culture.
And the Dutch!

[endurorob]

Corrupt greedy politicians.
People who are intolerant of other people''''s culture.
And the Dutch!


Posted by Questionnews at 05:06 PM : Jan 09, 2009

You forgot carnies.

[charles1731]

They''re all crooks. Every last one of them. The smart ones know how to cover they''re tracks. We should do what Turkey does. First time, cut off a finger. 2nd time, cut off a hand. 3rd time, meet the hangman. Very, very small number of crooks in Turkey. You can leave your wallet out on the porch all night and find it there in the morning. Thats the kind of punishment we need in this country. Too bad the wimpy politicians and judges would never go for it.

[used2bfedup1]

Corrupt greedy politicians.
People who are intolerant of other people''''''''s culture.
And the Dutch!


Posted by Questionnews at 05:06 PM : Jan 09, 2009

You forgot carnies.

Posted by endurorob at 05:07 PM : Jan 09, 2009

Filthy little buggers!

[questionnews]

She''''s ugly...therefore, she''''s guilty.

Posted by tj217 at 05:17 PM : Jan 09, 2009


I''m going to use that the next time I get called up for jury duty.

[ms1-1-1]

- OH, EXCUSE ME ...

she was having a blond moment we all do, get over it already...

[boston1954]

Wow!! A corrupt politician. How about that.

[ms1-1-1]

There''''s three things I can''''t stand!

Corrupt greedy politicians.
People who are intolerant of other people''''s culture.
And the Dutch!
--------------------------
Posted by Questionnews at 05:06 PM : Jan 09, 2009


THE 3 THAT DO IT FOR ME

in any order

"maverick"

"you betch ya"

"Gotcha!"

[wecandothis2]

WHOA!!!

The state prosecution office spent 3+ years of tying down Baltimore''s political leadership and the highlight of the state''s indictment is a few cheap gift cards? ? ? - - - - - Give me a break!

This clearly smacks of the likes of Ken Starr. Just like Ken Starr spent 6-years and $58-million on an alleged Clinton White Water land deal and the only thing Ken Starr could turn up was a stained blue dress.

Don''t get me wrong. I acknowledge that the misappropriation of a single state purchased pencil is wrong. But in light of all of Baltimore''s woes, this micro-petty stuff the state prosecution has come up with while pinning the mayor down during a 3-year investigation is relatively ridiculous and so out of proportion to all the real issues the city face. The state would have done better by issuing her a public warning to cut it out, or the next response is jail time.

Now Mayor Dixon is going to spend the next 3-years fighting and appealing this case, and the citizens of Baltimore will eventually side with Mayor Dixon and vindicate her by re-electing her to mayor of Baltimore once again. This will be a waste of taxpayer resources and time, and will hurt the city more because the limited resources dedicated to enduring this mess.

[ms1-1-1]

Wow!! A corrupt politician. How about that.
--------------------------
Posted by Boston1954 at 05:28 PM : Jan 09, 2009


........ you''re just having another bad hair day is all.... *v*

[blog_fever2]

Gotcha trick!

[ms1-1-1]

WeCanDoThis2,

darling if I told you once I told you twice if we''re going to play let''s play nice... they want to give the Illusion their working for their pay checks... I told you so...

[matrixrx2003]

Who CARES if she is a Democrat or Republican !

Travel, fur coats and gift cards that she allegedly used for a holiday shopping spree.

Everybody needs a little R&R and everybody likes free stuff and shopping and need to treat them selves sometimes.

Free Stuff Rules and Gurl needed stuff and things and a went shopping on somebody elses dime whats wrong with that ? NOTHING !

[notfooled]

Every politician found guilty of stealing from the people should be punished severely.

And if we take every crime that every politician committed in the last 8 years, the Bush/Cheney crime syndicate would stand far and away above all the rest for pure outright despicability.

Seems pretty trivial to indict someone for stealing when Bush/Cheney have murdered a million humans for profit.

When do the war crime trials begin?

[questionnews]

And if we take every crime that every politician committed in the last 8 years, the Bush/Cheney crime syndicate would stand far and away above all the rest for pure outright despicability.

Seems pretty trivial to indict someone for stealing when Bush/Cheney have murdered a million humans for profit.

When do the war crime trials begin?

Posted by notfooled at 06:33 PM : Jan 09, 2009

I agree that Bush was/is a dipstick & a moron, but where are you coming up with the "million" number. Exaggerations like that strips you of all credibility.

Just because the one side does stupid illegal things in no way provides a pass for the other side to do stupid illegal things. That''s just blind party loyalty and that is just as condemnable as the politician''s crimes themselves.

[frozengy]

there are enough democrats at this site to keep a band-aide factory in business for a hundred years with all these bleeding hearts ans chaffed buttocks...

[frozengy]

war crimes of bush and cheney ? he''s an idiot ? well, he beat out the traitor Kerry and the environmental wacko Gore.........not bad for an ''idiot''.

[pizzanick]

Give me a break sweetheart. Was the fur coat and $500 really worth it???

[pizzanick]

All you right wingers who don''t think BUSH CHENEY are corrupt, are in denial. CHENEY''s former company is receiving all your hard earned tax dollars being sent to rebuild IRAQ. They are stealing it from under your nose and NEOCONS and RIGHT WING BIBLE THUMPERS are too blind to see it. I am a proud CONSERVATIVE and at least I can be objective about reality. Unfortunately, the American people replaced the two crooks BUSH/CHENEY in office with a con artist called OBAMA.

[questionnews]

All you right wingers who don''''t think BUSH CHENEY are corrupt, are in denial. CHENEY''''s former company is receiving all your hard earned tax dollars being sent to rebuild IRAQ. They are stealing it from under your nose and NEOCONS and RIGHT WING BIBLE THUMPERS are too blind to see it. I am a proud CONSERVATIVE and at least I can be objective about reality. Unfortunately, the American people replaced the two crooks BUSH/CHENEY in office with a con artist called OBAMA.

Posted by pizzanick at 07:22 PM : Jan 09, 2009

Bush & Cheney are not conservatives. They''re opportunist. I don''t have a big issue with the private sector being greedy money sucking opportunist, that''s America & the free market will compensate that, but not Gov. officials.

[stupidrules3]

I posted the following on another story but it seems to fit here as well.

I still am amused by the way everybody wants to choose sides and ignore the fact that neither party has a monopoly on corruption, lack of ethics, immorality, and desire to bend over the American people.

[ginger20051]

Another politician in a major metropolitan area charged with corruption. Another democrat too. The liberals are apparently just as dishonest as everyone else and stupid enough to be caught.

[kansas1946]

What is it with these politicans. In this day of instant reporting, instant news, cameras everywhere, why do they think they can still get away with being corrupt, taking bribes, abusing their power, having affairs, etc. It is astounding. They all get caught but they act like everyelse but me is going to get caught. Maybe if we have one crooked politician a day caught and punished, the rest of them will get the picture that you just can''t get away with it ANYMORE. They just disgust me.

[powercan1]

Guilty-send her to jail were she belongs,politicans think they can do what ever they want.That power makes them think there above rules and laws-Jail for her

[powercan1]

she is guilty and needs some prison time.Politican think there special and above rules and law-the power goes to there heads.send her to prison.

[likeitis5050]

Didn''t any one explain the rules to her? I mean, give the black chick a break...it''s not like black people have been playing the politics game all that long. Good grief...you wanted her...you got her.

[scienceman1-2009]

i think anyone with a brain can see in the media daily - that if you take bribes you will probably get caught DUH!

[MarkJActon]

First the mayor of Detroit, now the mayor of Baltimore. Anyone see a pattern here ? Im surprised Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson havent jumped on the " race card " with these prosecutions.
One thing in common with these two mayors; third rate dumb moves that eventually will topple anyone in public office.
How stupid and greedy!

[gstinehart]

"WHAT STARTED OUT AS A BEAUTIFUL IDEA OF FREEDOM & JUSTICE FOR ALL, HAS TURNED INTO A f...ING FREE FOR ALL" (The Sour Kraut 2009)

[bushy15]

Obvioulsy a democrat. If she were a republican, it would have said so in the opening sentence.

[cbsblogger]

Corrupt politicians an oxymoron

==================================

The only way this will be ended is by sending convicted corrupt politicians away to prison for life. They are destroying the country and confidence.

She only stold consumer goods. Bush stold 2 elections.

[Krazcarl]

a crooked black female politician thought they were talked about the obama hillery team...asfor dems verses repugs it''s the oldest rule in politics those with power break and make the rules they put us in prison for....

[andrewsmomma]

So how come nobody''''s talking about another Democrat getting caught?

Everybodys always all jacked up about Bush this and Cheney that. Hey, here''''s a whole news article about what some Democrat did.

And it''''s like nobody wants to touch it. whats up with that?

Are you all AFRAID to criticize a Democrat? You spend all day hacking away at Republicans liek they''''re the only ones.

Here''''s another Democrat crook right in front of you. If you want to talk about crooks, why not this one.

you all don''''t make sense

-------

You''ve got to be friggin'' kidding me. Aren''t you watching your TV? It''s the Governor of Illinois all day long on my tv, and he''s a Democrat.

Get over yourself.

[aldon61]

Where''''s all the dumpocraps...they never appear on the sites where the dumpocraps are going down the tubes of corruption so fast it''''s making our eyeballs spin!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by TexHillGirl at 10:06 PM : Jan 09, 2009

Rowdy, I gotta admit that whoever is in power is more corrupt. There will be much more democratic scandels over the next 2 years. I think we should kick them all out and start over with nothing but independents.