Nothing like FORCING your VICTIMS to pay for the PERPETRATORS legal bills.

This city and state has descended deeper into the corrupt abyss than I ever thought possible.

The taxpayers are being held hostage to the corrupt government.
MD CONSTITUTION
Article 1. That all Government of right originates from the People, is founded in compact only, and instituted solely for the good of the whole; and they have, at all times, the inalienable right to alter, reform or abolish their Form of Government in such manner as they may deem expedient.
Art. 6. That all persons invested with the Legislative or Executive powers of Government are the Trustees of the Public, and, as such, accountable for their conduct: Wherefore, whenever the ends of Government are perverted, and public liberty manifestly endangered, and all other means of redress are ineffectual, the People may, and of right ought, to reform the old, or establish a new Government; the doctrine of non-resistance against arbitrary power and oppression is absurd, slavish and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind.

The governement HAS BECOME PERVERTED and destructive to the good and happiness of mankind.

no one gets outraged when we spend the tens of millions on these public defended criminals etc;

I wouldn't be outraged if she were using Public Defenders, but according to the article, she's hired some very high-priced attorneys, and wants the Tax Payers to foot the bill.

Maybe the new policy should state that all Public Officals should be required to use Public Defenders, or hire their own defense at their own expense.

The flaw in this policy is that it puts additional pressure on the prosecuting attorney to "find" something or drop it. Which means more pressure not to investiagate public corruption cases unless there already is a certainty something has been done and isn't the purpose of the grand jury to find out whether there is enough information to know if something has been done or not.
If Dixon can't afford a lawyer she should have faith in the city she oversees and use a public defender like the rest of us.

Sheila the Shoe perpetrated her crimes as a PRIVATE CITIZEN for her PERSONAL gain. She did not do it as an official act of her office.
Therefore she should not be entitled to a dime of state taxpayer money for her defense.

Meet the new boss
same as the old boss!
Nothing will ever change in this cesspool of a city!

She needs to be removed from office immediately. She needs to pay for her team of lawyers.

Frank, you do realize that those "public defended 'criminals' " ARE INNOCENT until proven guilty. Or do you believe that all who are brought before the courts are automatically guilty?

She keeps getting herself into these things, let her get herself out. If this policy passes, it would lead the way for taxpayers to pay if she, or other politicians, win or lose lawsuits against them while holding office. I think Governor O'Malley should have something to say especially since he knows she's sitting on the Board of Estimates which could approve this policy. I say stop making a living off the backs of the already oppressed workers and deal with your own drama. Sounds to me like she's looking to recoup the charity donation she made under duress. And if criminals are supposed to use public defenders when THEY don't have any money, why isn't she? I'm just saying ...

Harbor Hon - Baltimore

She used money allotted for needy families to pad her own pockets... in her PERSONAL life. She did not commit this act as an official, she merely had access to do so because she is one. The taxpayers funded the investigation because it's our governments duty to investigate and prosecute those who break the law. It would be no different if she were a CEO of a private institution. Taxpayers would still pay for the investigation. At the end of the day, she stole from the very same hand she's now looking for help from. I agree that she should have legal representation, however if it's in the form of high-priced ambulance chasers, she should have to do so at her own cost. She's hired these hounds because she knows she's in deep doo-doo, and she needs the best liars - oops - lawyers, she can get to get her out of it. And we're supposed to pay?!?! I don't think so.

Can you people read? Apparently not!

I'll help you...."The plan is modeled after a state practice, which allows compensation for public officials’ legal fees only if they are found not guilty of charges. If they plead or are determined to be guilty, no money.
"

Dear Sir,
I'm one of Shelia Dixon's biggest supporters! I love the Mayor! However, I'm really disappointed that she allowed herself to be caught up in this mess. I'm willing to forgive the giftcard fiasco, if she pays back what she used! I believe the entire investigation and allegations with the developer is small potatoes in Maryland politics. It's wasting valuable time and resources and should be swept away. The tax payers of Baltimore City should not be requested or forced to pay her legal fees. She earns a good salary (just got a raise) and these are her troubles. It shows a real lack of charater to even comtemplate such a thing after all the citizens and local employees have been forced to give up or endure. I'm truly disappointed.

So first she tries to keep her pay increase in a time of finacial hardships, when the city is drowning in debt and now she wants us to pay her legal bills? Wow that is corruption. At least Buddy Ciancci (RI Federal Plunder Dome scandel) paid for that all himself.

Let her pay for it out of her own pocket, i'm tired of picking up the tab for politicians.

I hope that the voters remember this when they are laid off, furloughed, and outright dismissed due to City Budget issues. Also those who are paying high property taxes that Ms. Dixon told us we would get a reprieve on and took it off the table due to Budget issues.

The City should not be Paying for High Price Attorneys on any issue, when the City is already paying Attorneys that are fully capable as one poster has noted.

I hope the voters look at the issues and remember next election, and not focus on race.

If public funds are going to be used, why not hire a public defender instead of expensive private attorneys?

I guess the lawyers won't take gift cards?

"As some radio callers note, lots of taxpayer money was spent on the lengthy investigation into Dixon"

-Loads of tax money is spent on prosecution on a daily basis. None of those defendants get high paid lawyers courtesy of the tax payers NONE.

First off, Sheila Dixon CAN NOT use the Public Defender. Her income of over $100,000 clearly disqualifies her from their services... Only people who DO NOT have the resources to afford an attorney qualify for the services of the Public Defender. Secondly, these "criminals" are innocent until proven guilty AND are not always guilty of the crimes they have been charged with, and they like all of us, have the right to a fair trial with adequate representation. Third, you say 10s of millions are spent.. but in reality, The Public Defender's Office's budget lost the most in the new budget... so get your facts right.

FINALLY... Dixon is worthless; She is a horrible mayor and thinks she should be entitled to everything, so long as she does not have to pay for it... Maryland should really impeach her.

AND... she will probably get off because Baltimore City loves her, for no reason other then her color.

Perhaps if she's convicted she can get a position in the new cabinet. If a financial whiz who refuses to pay taxes for several years gets to oversee the nation's financial arm, there's nothing wrong with a mayor doing a little stealing.

This is sooooo bogus. A corrupt Mayor, on the BoE, reviewing a policy to benefit herself! This is soooo typical. What is wrong with the Gov? Nobody has the gagoonies to approach this issue with authority and demand that she step down until this is resolved. If it goes to trial she will surely walk (because of being a woman of color.)
Any citizen of Balt city who does not think she is corrupt and crooked and all of that would for-sure not find her guilty regardless of the evidence presented. This city, this state and this country is sinking lower and lower. It is becoming extremely difficult telling the difference between those who (supposedly lead) and those who are the criminals. What an example for all of the younger people.
Now wonder vast numbers of city and county kids are growing up feeling they are entitled to whatever they want. They look around and this is what they see and read about (those that can read that is.)

This whole city STINKS!
Jail em all!!

Why do the taxpayers ALWAYS have to bail someone out? As I am responsible for myself, I believe she should pay for her own legal defense.
And why in the heck would she allow this to happen to her. I wonder if she is not in city government, what would she do. I hope she has a plan B.

Has anyone here looked at the state budget. The Maryland State Prosecutor has a budget $1.5 Million a year, total! Last year alone, they prosecuted over 100 election law and corruption cases. Just doing the math, the shoe's lawyers are going to cost more than the state's costs.

Sean Carter,
I have a major problem with the handling of these gift cards, regardless of whether she pays them back. From what I read, these cards were supposed to be for poorer families to buy their children Christmas gifts. They had a known purpose and they were STOLEN. Dr. Seuss created a villian to this effect......The Grinch Who Stole Christmas! This is just one example of the corruption going on under her tenure. Fudging books, giving favors and working the system to benefit herself and her friends have long been an issue in politics. That doesn't make it right and we shouldn't have to accept it. And just because this rule regarding taxpayers paying for lawyers fees is already in place for state politicians, doesn't make mean that it's acceptable to bring it to the city level. Anyway I look at this it's wrong. If an ordinary citizen gets charges brought against him/her, than they must hire their own attorney with their own money or use the services of a Public Defender. Why should politicians be any different? She should do the city a favor and resign. Her biggest contributions to the city.....consolidated recycling days. Other than that, I have no use for this woman serving me or my city.

We can change how things have been done. We have a voice. We entrust so much into these officials then assume no responsibility when corruption stands so brazenly in our faces. Be the change.

Shela, Shela, Sheila ... what runs in that perverted little mind of yours. You were probably thinking of another Mink shopping spree ... a new pair of Jimmy Choo shoes to bang on a podium somewhere. But to have the City Solcitor (who you appointed) prepare a policy that will be approved by a Board of Estimates (that's a corrupt function that should be eliminated and make the Council responsible for finance issues, but then Mayors and Governors can't do whatever they want) that you control the votes on (you, Davie boy Scott) is ridiculous. This is bad policy!

Capt. Jack ... bad news my boy. Elected officials in Maryland can't be recalled, impeached or removed from office except following the conviction of a crime. And then ... this is the big then ... the Governor has to remove them. Who thinks O'Malley will have the stanima to remove Sheila from office. She'll just move City Hall to the Women's Correction Institute in Jessup and run the City from there. Near-sighted people who didn't plan for this level of corruption when chartering the city and devising the State Constitution. Maybe it's time to pass amendments that allow the public to recall officials. That seems fair! But what is fair in Baltimore and Maryland .... very little!

I really like the way the public screams bloody murder! Politicians have been conducting business this way for decades. Look at the past Presidency. We allowed those jokers to get away with all kinds of horrors. Now people are enraged about a few gifts cards for the poor? The first thing I always here is, Why can't these people get a job? Why don't they get an education? Why can't they pull themselves up by there own boot straps? Not my tax dollars! Now all of a sudden somebody cares because some poor families didn't get there gift cards? The past administration just gave away our jobs, sons, daughters, pension,health care and God knows what else. We see these crooks come a smiling every four years and we just luv 'em!!!

There's a lot of passion in these comments, so I'll lighten it up with a snipet of lyrics from one of my favorite '80s songs: "Like I always say what's good for the gaze
Is always good for the camera oh Sheila, oh, oh"