Baltimore Mayor's Theft Trial Begins

Opening arguments began in the trial of Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon on Thursday. Dixon, the city's first woman mayor, is accused on state charges of stealing gift cards meant for needy families when she was president of the city council.

The Baltimore Sun's website provides a flavor of the prosecution's opening argument:

State Prosecutor Robert A. Rohrbaugh spent about 50 minutes delivering opening remarks in the criminal theft trial of Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon this afternoon, tracing two sets of gifts cards that Dixon is accused of taking and spending on herself.

The gift cards — one set purchased by Doracon Contracting Inc., the other by developer Patrick Turner — were intended for the city's needy.

 

In his presentation, Rohrbaugh showed the jurors a slideshow that contained images of receipts from Best Buy and Circuit City, saying they documented purchases Dixon had made. The presentation also included photographs of items she is said to have purchased, including a camcorder and an Xbox.

"When you are a public official, it is a breach of the public trust when you steal," Rohrbaugh said. "When you are a public servant and you steal from the needy, it is unspeakable."

Her lead defense lawyer hadn't yet made his opening argument at the time of the Sun's update.

The trial is expected to last three weeks. If Dixon is convicted, she would be removed from office and could also face prison time.