Jan 8, 2009 3:16 pm US/Eastern
City Councilwoman, Developer Indicted In Probe
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Baltimore City Councilwoman Helen L. Holton and prominent developer Ronald H. Lipscomb were indicted Wednesday afternoon as part of a state prosecutor's nearly three-year investigation into City Hall corruption.
CBS
WJZ was the only television station there as Helen Holton gathered with other lawmakers Wednesday night. The meeting came just hours after the councilwoman and developer Ronald Lipscomb were indicted on corruption charges.
Mike Hellgren has exclusive reaction.
The corruption investigation has rocked City Hall and just hours after indictments were handed down, WJZ cameras are rolling on one of their targets, City Councilwoman Helen Holton, as she attends a conference on the Eastern Shore.
Holton had no comment publicly about the bribery and perjury charges that could land her in jail for years.
In a prepared statement, Holton wrote, "This indictment is only a charge, not proof, and I ask that any judgment be reserved until all the facts are proceeded in court. I have complete faith in our system of justice."
The state prosecutor claims Holton accepted a bribe from prominent developer Ron Lipscomb. He says Holton wanted a survey done about her political future. It cost $12,500, which she had billed to Lipscomb's company, Doracon. Then she voted to give tax breaks to Doracon's projects in Harbor East and never reported that on her financial disclosure forms, as required by law.
"When you've got a potential indictment, particularly of a public profile person, they're going to cross all their t's and dot all their i's before bringing it," said law professor Byron Warnken.
The prosecutor has charged Lipscomb with bribery. But Mayor Sheila Dixon, who once appeared to be a focus of the investigation, has not been charged. The prosecutor raided her home last June and in documents related to the case, alleged she received lavish gifts and trips from Lipscomb in exchange for votes on the same tax breaks benefitting his developments.
The mayor denied that but did admit the two had a personal relationship.
"Oh, I'm going to survive this because I only take this business of what I do one day at a time," she said at the time.
The mayor had no comment about the charges against Lipscomb and Holton.
WJZ has learned Holton intends to stay in office. Right now, it's unknown whether the prosecutor will bring charges against anyone else.
Holton has been removed from leading the committee that oversees tax breaks for developers.
City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake released a statement.
"I am deeply troubled by the charges and will reserve judgment until the case is resolved in the justice system. As representatives of the citizens of Baltimore, members of the City Council must abide by the highest ethical standards. My prayers are with Councilwoman Holton and her family during this difficult time."
"The citizens of Baltimore have every right to expect their public officials will not be influenced by personal motive, greed or gain," State Prosecutor Robert Rohrbaugh said in a statement.
The term for the grand jury responsible for the indictments expires Friday.
You can view the indictment by clicking here.
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