Mar 22, 2006 7:24 pm US/Eastern
Dixon Probe Will Include City Offices, Comcast
by Suzanne Collins
BALTIMORE, Md. (WJZ/AP) ―
-
-
City Council President Sheila Dixon
WJZ
Baltimore City Council President Sheila Dixon says a state investigation into a city contractor that employs her sister is an attempt to "destroy my character."
Dixon spoke about the probe today after a regularly scheduled meeting at City Hall. She says she's a hard worker who would never do anything to hurt the citizens of Baltimore.
"In my heart I did nothing , excuse me, intentionally in any of this. This has legs on it that's trying to destroy my character. I would never do anything to the citizens of Baltimore as hard as I work and that's it," Dixon said Wednesday
State prosecutors have issued four new subpoenas seeking information about a city contractor that employs Dixon's sister.
The subpoenas seek documents from Mayor Martin O'Malley's two minority business offices, the custodian of council records and the city's cable franchise holder relating to dealings with Union Technologies, or Utech. The firm employs the council president's sister, Janice Dixon, and helps manage Baltimore's computer network.
The Baltimore Sun reported last month that Dixon might have breached city ethics law by not disclosing her sister's employment and participating in hearings and votes involving Utech.
If Mayor O'Malley wins the 2006 governors race, Dixon will automatically become interim mayor.
WJZ's Suzanne Collins asked Mayor O'Malley if he felt that the scandal would affect his political future.
"It would be improper for me to comment on it right now--we're cooperating," O'Malley said.
"But I'm not asking about her legal situation, I'm asking about a political situation--do you think it will hurt your chances because people will be concerned about who's replacing you if you win?"
WJZ's Collins asks.
"You know--I'll leave that to the pundits to figure out. All I know is our state is a better place if we have leadership in the governor's office and that's what I'll stay focused on."
(© 2006 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
