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'From Chicago to City Hall, the buck stops with the federal prosecutor'

 

 Quid Pro Quo, defined as something given or done, in exchange for something else, often in a spirit of cooperation. Often this phrase is synonymous with business or political relationships and usually transcended into corruption, somewhere down the line, when not done properly or done so under the context of the law.

 

The new allegation(s) of public corruption first earlier this week, Baltimore County Councilman Kenneth Oliver, was indicted on felony theft charges, now Baltimore City Councilwoman Helen Holton and respected Developer Ronald Lipscomb follow the same path of prosecutorial punishment. They however, were charged with bribery, with Madame Holton also being charged with malfeasance in office, perjury and nonfeasance in office. Though the latter charges do not carry any jail time, the bribery charges for each, carry penalties of imprisonment between two and twelve years (yeah, 2-12), with a fine of between $100 and $5,000, or both.

 

In a time of political apathy, with a dark cloud of suspicion, hanging over the heads, of the entire electoral process, along with some of its most prominent and longest serving members, this revelation is surely unneeded and suspiciously timely, to those working hard to win over the support and intervention, of young folk and others, becoming permanently involved, in the political process.   A three year investigation, culminating in the indictment of such a petty, yet illegal, campaign finance activity, seems a little strange it took this long to bring forth such a simple indictment. However, without knowing how many more indictments and suspects activities are to come, between now and Friday night, the investigations deadline date, I cannot speak logically to why and what went on, in the State Prosecutor’s Office.

 

When comparing the two, City and County indictments, of Councilpersons Oliver and Holton, I begin to accumulate scenarios and strategic motives, behind each indictment, trying to come up with a journalistic theory of justice. On one hand you have…

 

A man, who has served the County of Baltimore, since 2002, becoming its only elected African-American representative, which certainly brings about much responsibility and ethical strains, upon his broad shoulders, has certainly considered all of this during his almost 7-years of public service. I, for the life of me, cannot see this man deliberately violating campaign finance laws. Mr. Oliver, being accused of writing two checks, in the amount of $2,000 each, who has admitted his wrong doing, reportedly wrote these checks to pay for a family emergency, in which he repaid the “loans”, in a 30-day period of time. This to me, though the co-mingling of funds is illegal and unethical, (however is done by blacks and white, Democrats and Republican alike), does not merit a prosecutorial indictment and political bashing of this man’s reputation, to the extent that it is has been brought forth. A respectable and distinguished man of honor, who the voters’ of that council district, voted for twice, to represent them in the County Council, should certainly have his day in court, and those trying to prosecute him through the media, need to, in my opinion, reserve their judgment, until he is actually found guilty (though he has already admitted his guilt), given an appropriate sentence and then himself decides, about his political future, with the constituents of that district, being then ultimate decision-makers!

 

On the other hand you have…

 

A woman, who has served the City of Baltimore, since 1995, first on a slate with members Rochelle ‘Rikki’ Spector and current Council President, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, and then later and currently serves, as the single-member representative, for the eighth council district. The West Baltimore native and current Chair of the Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee, has been accused of more serious violations, based on charges of bribery, perjury and malfeasance and nonfeasance in office. The 48-year old, public accountant and deacon, who has served this district for over 13-years, has been accused of conspiring with prominent business developer and accused former boyfriend of Mayor Sheila Dixon, Ron Lipscomb. The ongoing investigation into public corruption by the City Council, on behalf of the State Prosecutor’s office, has predominately been centered on Madame Dixon and Mr. Lipscomb. However, thus far, Dixon has evaded charges of wrong-doing or any improprieties, while in office.

 

I wish I could say the same for Ms. Holton, who has always been very responsive to the needs of not only myself, but for the entire Youth Leadership Roundtable of programs. However as they say, you do what you do and you get what you get! (Reportedly and only, as of now, allegations of improper financial procedures) The contrast of these allegations, both in the City as well as the County, both residing in the Baltimore region, has shed an unpopular and negative light of corruption, upon our City, taking away from where it recently shined so bright, Chicago. I guess it shows that the occultation of corruption does not stop, nor is dependent, on location; rather on occupation and dedication, to sincere service and honest handling, of governmental contracts and civic obedience.     

 

Dale’s Daily Dose: “To whom much is Given, Much is Required!” – Life Quote!