• Baltimore, Maryland's Mayor Sheila Dixon was indicted on 12 counts of corruption on January 9, 2009. The charges include perjury, theft, fraudulent misappropriation and misconduct. The indictment followed a three-year-long investigation into allegations of the corruption of Baltimore City Hall's finances. The charges stem from gifts Dixon received from her former boyfriend Ronald H. Lipscomb, a developer.BaltimoreSun.com: Mayor Sheila Dixon indicted (January 9, 2009)

• 1. Mayor of Baltimore since January 17, 2007Official Site: Mayor Sheila Dixon Bio
  2. First woman to serve as mayor of BaltimoreOfficial Site: Mayor Sheila Dixon Bio
  3. Represented the 4th Council District in Baltimore from 1987 to 1999Official Site: Mayor Sheila Dixon Bio
  4. Is an active member of the Bethel A.M.E. ChurchOfficial Site: Mayor Sheila Dixon Bio
  5. Former kindergarten teacherOfficial Site: Mayor Sheila Dixon Bio
  6. Worked for the Maryland State Department of Business and Economic Development for 17 yearsOfficial Site: Mayor Sheila Dixon Bio
  7. Indicted on Friday, January 9, 2009BaltimoreSun.com: Mayor Sheila Dixon indicted (January 9, 2009)
  8. Faces four counts of perjury, three counts of theft, three counts of misappropriation and two counts of misconductBaltimoreSun.com: Mayor Sheila Dixon indicted (January 9, 2009)

• Indictment Details

  Among the charges levied against Dixon, she also allegedly purchased gaming consoles with gift cards that were allocated for charitable purposes. Two others have been charged in the scandal as of January, 2009. Lipscomb has been charged with bribery in relation to the City Hall corruption case, and councilwoman Helen L. Holton was also charged with accepting a bribe and with perjury in addition to other misdemeanors.BaltimoreSun.com: Mayor Sheila Dixon indicted (January 9, 2009)

• Fitness Mishap

  The day following the indictment, Dixon appeared at a local boxing ring and practiced cardio-kickboxing with several others to promote physical fitness. Shortly after the demonstration began, the boxing ring collapsed. No one was hurt in the incident and attendees continued the workout on the gym floor.The New York Times: Baltimore Mayor Shows She's Not Easily Rattled (January 10, 2009)

• Dixon's Statement on Indictment

  "For the past two years, I have done my best to serve the City of Baltimore as Mayor, and I will continue to do so. I will not let these charges deter me from keeping Baltimore on the path that we have set, or from carrying forward the significant progress we have made thus far."BaltimoreSun.com: Statement from Mayor Sheila A. Dixon (January 9, 2009)

  "I am being unfairly accused. Time will prove that I have done nothing wrong, and I am confident that I will be found innocent of these charges. But, for the moment, I cannot comment further on the allegations that have been made against me. Instead, my attorneys will address these matters on my behalf."BaltimoreSun.com: Statement from Mayor Sheila A. Dixon (January 9, 2009)

  "I want to make it clear, though, that I will continue to put all of my energies into running the City of Baltimore during these perilous economic times. And with God's grace, I am confident that the city, my family and I will weather this storm."BaltimoreSun.com: Statement from Mayor Sheila A. Dixon (January 9, 2009)

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