It looks like Mayor Sheila Dixon and the city of Baltimore are getting a lump of coal as an early Christmas present. A jury convicted Dixon today on one count of embezzlement, a misdemeanor, for stealing $630 worth of holiday gift cards. It acquitted her of three other charges, including the most serious felony theft charge.
Dixon said, "The city will still continue to move forward," as she left the courtroom after the verdict, adding that she was headed to City Hall to get back to work.
The conviction could very well end her career as mayor; however, the Maryland attorney general's office says she can stay in office at least until she is sentenced, reports the Baltimore Sun. She still faces a trial in March 2010 on two perjury counts, stemming from an accusation that she failed to report gifts, according to the New York Times.
As previously posted, Baltimore's first black female mayor was put on trial for spending gift cards on herself, when they were intended for needy families at Christmastime.
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Sheryl Huggins Salomon is contributing editor of Black Voices, where she writes about politics and society. She is co-editor of the 'Nia Guide for Black Women' series of self-improvement books and the former publisher of Shade magazine. Follow her on Twitter or contact her at BVCEditor@aol.com.
Comments: (21)
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By: Tired of Poor ME attitude on 12/02/2009 9:36AM
Her family must be SO proud. Stealing from needy people. I am waiting to see how many "people of color" voice outrage at this and how many think it is no big deal. My bet, the "no big deal"/ "white people do worse" crowd will outnumber the others.
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By: captain midnight on 12/02/2009 10:29AM
No big deal, White people do worse. [Just kidding.] Of course she's a THIEF no matter what color she is and ought to be ashamed of herself
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By: martha on 12/02/2009 8:11PM
Her family must be SO proud. Stealing from needy people. I am waiting to see how many "people of color" voice outrage at this and how many think it is no big deal. My bet, the "no big deal"/ "white people do worse" crowd will outnumber the others.
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Your bet is right, "THe no big deal white people actually do do worse" but seem to operate under the radar and with a lot of shielding from the establishment. Everybody knows that, including you. But whoever does it, it's wrong.
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By: Vedia on 12/02/2009 2:07PM
BE KIND TO THOSE YOU MEET ON THE WAY UP, THEY ARE THE SAME ONES YOU WILL SEE ON THE WAY DOWN. NEED TO SAY SOMETHING TO ALL THOSE POEPLE WHO VOTED FOR HER.
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By: the man on 12/02/2009 2:59PM
i bet they find a way to blame the white man,theft is in there blood.no country or city has ever made it with a black ran government in the real history of man,well with out changing up the past a little bit.wake up america
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By: Serious on 12/05/2009 3:11PM
Ignorant people make very ignorant comments. With this type of attitude it sounds like a crime even you might commit. If America gets rid of the small minded people who talk, but can't perform. We would be a better nation. Mr "Man" you probably don"t have an education or a job. There is crime among all races.
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By: Hans Crews Jr on 12/02/2009 8:39PM
I wish that the people who respond to the comments, learn proper grammer and spelling at least. I am a black male of age who spent a lot of time learning to read,write and spell. And it doesn't take a Rhodes Scholar to, spell and use proper grammer. So before we sit down and send these ridiculous emails please, at least consult a dictionary. Most of you could use one beleive me.
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By: captain midnight on 12/02/2009 9:27PM
I'm sorry I have to tell you this, but you spelled GRAMMAR wrong twice and all your commas are wrong.You also spelled BELIEVE wrong also. "I wish that the people who respond to these comments [WOULD]learn proper GRAMMAR.
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By: B. Willis on 12/03/2009 9:00AM
LoL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a re-re...you can't call out anybody on these blogs (let alone white ppl) about spelling when YOU can't spell! Hahaha...be on point next time and your comment will actually mean something.
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By: Natalie on 12/05/2009 10:54AM
Mr. Crews, did anyone teach you the simple rule of how to decide when to use "i" and "e" as you forgot when spelling "believe." It's normally like this..."i" before "e" except after "c." How dare you come online to critique another's spelling as if you are perfect! Your pedestal is chipped sir, re-evaluate! No one is perfect, to include me and YOU...........
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