Local News

Baltimore Branch Of NAACP Defends Mayor Dixon

BALTIMORE (WJZ) ― The Baltimore branch of the NAACP comes to the defense of Mayor Sheila Dixon.  The state prosecutor has been presenting evidence to a grand jury these past few days.  Much of it may be connected to a relationship between Dixon and a Baltimore subcontractor when she was City Council president.

Political reporter Pat Warren has the latest.

There's a big question mark hanging over City Hall and it has its hook in both the mayor's history and the prosecutor's motives.

"People are being very supportive," Mayor Dixon said.

For the first time publicly that includes the Baltimore branch of the NAACP. 

"There are some allegations that are being made," said Doc Cheatham with the NAACP.  "She's in prayer and we're hoping for the best."

Prosecutors haven't revealed what they're after but a hot button is the votes Dixon cast relating to developer Ron Lipscomb when the two had a personal and gift-giving relationship in 2004.  The mayor abstained this year from voting on anything relating to Lipscomb and in 2006 relating to his company, Doracon.  She did not abstain in 2004 when they had their relationship.

The mayor says while she's not at liberty to discuss details of the investigation, prosecutors are leaking information and the media is sensationalizing.  She was quoted by the Baltimore Afro-American saying, "I think there is sexism and racism."

"We probably can't answer that," Cheatham said. 

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