On my show yesterday we wrestled with what is really going on in this trial. Four years of investigation and we come down to some gift cards. Yes, I know it corrupt and unethical if true. But look at what just happened in South Carolina with Governor Mark Sanford. He was accused of taking money from his campaign funds, using state plane for personal affairs
and government funds for his dalliances. Is he on trial yet? No. He is before an Ethics Commission. Which is what we should have done with Sheila Dixon. If she did then fine her more money than she can afford and leave it to the voters. If she committed an offense that could land her at Jessup, then try her. But this is a charade.
The real issue is that most corruption is perfectly legal. Sheila Dixon, if guilty, just did not play the game right. The financial industry and the developers have always had a cozy relationship with our elected officials. They are the defense contractors of local government. They give money to city foundations, fund campaigns, contribute to causes and politicians listen to their pleadings for tax right offs and more. After political office, politicians make money with them, become developers or lobbyists and they all become part of their dialectic symbiotic relationship that feeds merrily on itself.
If this is a hung jury, or mixture of acquittal on some charges and convictions on the most minor charges then recriminations will fly. From some it will be a cry of wasted taxpayer dollars in going after the first African American woman sitting as Mayor, for others Baltimore juries would not convict an African American mayor no matter what the charges and political fur will fly in all directions.
And we still, no matter what the verdict get to the bottom of the real issues of political power and the influence of the powerful monied interests, developers and contractors nor the real issues of poverty and desolation that plagues so much of this city.
We will be covering it all tonight again … along with a stimulating, engaging and thoughtful conversation with Freeman Hrabowski, President of UMBC who was named one of the top ten college administrators in the nation! Join at 5 on 88.9 FM.
Filed in: City Hall, Uncategorized.
Marc Steiner is host of the Marc Steiner Show on WEAA and Peabody Award winning Executive Producer of the Center for Emerging Media. He has been a public radio host since 1993 before that he was a teacher, actor, therapist and community organizer. Lives in the country with Valerie, his daughter and a bunch of animals.
I agree Marc. While it was a lapse in judgment, it is not worth the trial while so many in our city are struggling w/ serious issues that demand attention. This is the best they got? I am sure the developers have paid off bigger people w/ larger piles of money. $500 in giftcards for a trial? Seriously?
I feel that you “hit the nail on the head” when you said that mayor Dixon’s main problem was that she ” did not play the game ‘ the right way. Which is a bit surprising in view of her time spent on the city council.
This trial saddens me. Wasted time, effort and money that would be better spent on quality of life issues for every citizen of Baltimore.
When will the in-fighting and power hungry feeding frenzy stop?
So, a little bit of corruption is OK? But you have to play the game right? I don’t think so. And I take issue with your statement that most corruption is perfectly legal. I think you are wrong there, also.
The woman STOLE from the poor. She probably likens herself to a female Robin Hood … taking from the rich and giving to the …. oh yeah she gave to herself and her family and an aide who has with her husband a combined income of $500,000 or more! As for leaving it to the ballot box … there is a reason our Founding Fathers left it to the Electoral College to select the President rather than a popular vote … they didn’t find the electorate that intelligent and frankly, after 3 years of living in Baltimore I think the electorate is pretty dumb!
you are partially right. but in my opinion, what you fail to accept in your post is that the ethics commission is a sham itself, where nothing would have happened. then you also have a prosecutor who finds what he believes to be a criminal act–should he not prosecute because she is the mayor? Ask every guy who is sitting in jail for shoplifting a pack of cigs whether the mayor should or shouldn’t be prosecuted for theft, merely because she’s the mayor. theft is theft. and the jury will speak as to whether it was theft or not.
I’m not sure I follow your perspective on why the the Dixon trial is a “charade” simply because other pockets of corruption and influence peddling surely exist.
Unfortunately, Maryland has a long history of prosecuted and convicted public officials on charges directly related to their to office and those that are more petty criminal in nature.
We the people – need to let our public officials know that we expect better, and we will hold them to a higher standard. Petty theft is petty theft, regardless of who the accused may be.
ONCE THE VERDICT IS IN – If found innocent, then I will feel badly that Ms. Dixon had to go through the experience, just like I would for any person in her position. If found found guilty, neither I nor anyone should minimize terrible situation we Marylanders once again find ourselves having to deal with.
I cannot disagree more with the simplification of this trial to a charade. The fact remains, she stole. She stole from those in need. She did so repeatedly – evident by the MULTIPLE gift cards found in her HOME. Sheila Dixon, a public official and role model to young African American women, stole from those in a less fortunate position than herself. What kind of an example do you want to allow your mayor to set? You can sugar coat this situation all you want – let her plead ignorance, call it an accident, blame the omnipresent relationship between public officials and developers/contractors, make it an ethical argument – but it does not justify her actions. Baltimore City, admittedly, does face a plethora of more serious and heinous problems, but reform should start at the top. If you do not have integrity and justice at the top, what do you have? For a change, I think the state has not wasted taxpayer dollars on her prosecution. I support the enforcement of the law. I can only hope the jury respects the evidence, takes into account the testimony against her, and does not let this case evolve to a race issue. Stealing reflects directly on her character – she did not use “questionable” judgment. She used judgment – ill guided, greedy judgment. She knew she stole. She knows she committed a crime. The evidence exists. Let the jury decide her fate. Let’s not “leave this up to the voters.” Most of which do not show up.
You got it wrong Marc. What you should be saying is that Sanford deserves to be tried in court just like Dixon. Is Sanford getting off too easy? For now, that’s certainly what it looks like. But he may have to face a judge soon enough.
Why be an apologist for Sheila? And can we finally stop fueling the ignorant belief that theft is a “minor” crime? The gist of your post should have been – “Dixon is getting what she and all other crooked pols deserve – a trial before her peers”. By regurgitating the foolish belief that this is all a trifling, racial witchunt, you are doing the community a great disservice.
Wow, someone finally got it right. Congratulations!!
Her crimes were of questionable judgment, ethics and values. Certainly not raising to the level of removing from office, fines and removing from office. These issues are best left to the voters.
Sonny Morstein
Federal Hill