The Billy Wilikns Journal: "Gift Card Decision" May Prove Shocking

June 6, 10:59 AMBaltimore Independent ExaminerHassan Giordano

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Mr. Billy WIlikns

By: Billy Wilkins

"I will survive this..." were Mayor Sheila Dixon's memorable words upon being indicted on 12 charges of perjury and misconduct in January. Who would have dreamt that with such a dramatic and shocking case against her, that the day would come when she would be able to tell the City of Baltimore, "I told you so"?.

Such a bold acclamation from someone in such hot water (at the time). The whirlwind romance of a high profile political icon and Doracon Contracting CEO Ronald Lipscomb. Shopping sprees, fur coats, Jimmy Choo shoes, and lavish gifts created a maelstrom of drama surrounding suspicious contracts - alleged to have been awarded to Doracon Contracting "improperly" by Dixon.

Worse yet, Dixon was alleged to have spent gift card monies meant for the poor  - Cut to the nightmarish scenes of mansion raids and somber courtroom testimonies. This whole thing was a MESS. 

Yet, the song played "I...I will survive..."

The tables have turned in Dixon's favor. We are speaking of bribery, perjury, misuse of office, misconduct (12 total counts) - washed away almost completely on one quiet Thursday afternoon. 

Let us not forget, City Council Rep. Helen Holton has been cleared of ALL COUNTS. She was snagged into the melee shortly after Dixon's fumble, as complicit in the shady deals on Holliday Street. 

Holton's role in the drama was in the alleged tax breaks, to sweeten the deal for Doracon. Holton and Lipscomb’s charges stemmed from a $12,500 voter survey for Holton that Lipscomb allegedly paid for. Prosecutors argued the survey was a bribe for Holton’s vote to approve tax breaks for a part of Harbor East development known as Parcel D.

The amazing thing about the ruling is that Dixon and Holton were cleared on legal technicality - not on any findings that would prove their actual innocence.

They were cleared because of a legislative immunity law that is intended to provide legislators with freedom to act without fear of civil or criminal liability because of the positions they take in enacting laws. Holton’s vote on the tax breaks are protected by the immunity law.

Hey Legislators! - (allegedly) bribe and steal all you want. The law is on your side in the state of Maryland.

Judge Dennis Sweeney dismissed four perjury and misconduct in office charges against Dixon. Sweeney allowed the theft charges connected to several allegedly "misused" gift cards to stand for further examination.

Lipscomb will still stand trial on May 5, 2010. Lipscomb argued that his actions didn’t constitute bribery, and are protected by the First Amendment and fall within state political contribution laws. Sweeney rejected those petitions for dismissal.