Sheila Dixon

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In November 2009, Dixon was tried for three counts of felony theft, three counts of misdemeanor embezzlement/misappropriation, and a single count of misconduct of office. The trial began on November 10, 2009, with Arnold M. Weiner serving as lead counsel. During the trial, two counts (one theft charge and one embezzlement/misappropriation charge) were dropped when prosecutors declined to call a key witness. On December 1, 2009, after seven days of deliberations, the jury returned verdicts on four of the five remaining counts. Dixon was found not guilty of the two felony-theft charges, as well as not guilty of the one count of misconduct of office.

She was found guilty on one misdemeanor embezzlement charge relating to her use of over $600 worth of retail-store gift cards that were intended to be distributed to needy families. The jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision regarding the final charge of misdemeanor embezzlement.

Resignation and Probation

On January 6, 2010, as part of a plea agreement reached with prosecutors, Dixon announced that she was resigning as mayor, effective February 4, 2010. Under the terms of the agreement, Dixon received probation before judgment (PBJ) in the recent case in which she had been found guilty, as well as in a perjury trial that had been scheduled for March 2010. Under the Criminal Procedure Article, sec. 6–220 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, [37] a PBJ is not a conviction, thereby enabling her to keep her $83,000 pension. [38] Also, under Maryland law, a PBJ may be expunged from one's record once the probationary period is over.

Dixon was sentenced to four years of probation under the terms of the agreement. She also was required to donate $45,000 to the Bea Gaddy Foundation and to serve 500 hours of community service at Our Daily Bread. In addition, she agreed to sell gifts she received from developers, including a fur coat and electronics that she purchased with gift cards. Dixon agreed to not seek office anywhere in the state of Maryland, including Baltimore, during her probationary term and that she will not solicit or accept taxpayer money to pay her defense fees. [39]

2016 Mayoral election

In 2015, Dixon made a second attempt at becoming mayor of Baltimore. She was the front-runner in the Democratic primary until early 2016, [40] when Congressman Elijah Cummings endorsed her leading opponent, Catherine Pugh in April 2016. [41] Pugh won the Democratic primary with 37% of the vote, while Dixon received 35% of the vote. [42]

Sheila Dixon
Sheliadixon07 (1).jpg
Dixon in 2007
49th Mayor of Baltimore
In office
January 17, 2007 –February 4, 2010
Democratic primary results [43]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Catherine Pugh 48,665 36.6
Democratic Sheila Dixon46,21934.7
Democratic Elizabeth Embry15,56211.7
Democratic David Warnock10,8358.1
Democratic Carl Stokes4,6203.5
Democratic DeRay Mckesson3,4452.6
Total votes133,009 100.00

2020 Mayoral election

On December 14, 2019, Dixon announced she was running for mayor of Baltimore in the 2020 election. [44] After the first campaign finance reporting date in mid January of 2020, Dixon's campaign reported that it had raised roughly $100,000. Incumbent Mayor Jack Young, also running for mayor, had $960,000 cash on hand during the same reporting period. [45] In the June 2, 2020 Democratic primary, she narrowly lost to Brandon Scott. [8]

2024 Mayoral election

In September 2023, Dixon announced that she would again run for mayor of Baltimore, setting up a rematch of the 2020 Democratic primary contest between Dixon and the now-incumbent mayor Brandon Scott. [46]

Personal life

Twice divorced, Dixon raised her two children, Jasmine and Joshua, as a single mom. [47] She is the aunt of professional basketball player Juan Dixon, who led the University of Maryland to the 2002 NCAA championship, and Jermaine Dixon, who played guard for the University of Pittsburgh men's basketball team.

An active member of Bethel A.M.E. Church and former church trustee, Dixon continues to serve as a member of the Stewardess Board. She serves on other boards, including the Institute of Human Virology, the Transplant Resource Center, the Urban Health Initiative, the Baltimore Public Markets Corporation, the Living Classrooms Foundation, and the Walters Art Museum.

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References

  1. ↑ "Baltimore City Council Presidents, 1923-present". msa.maryland.gov. Maryland State Archives. Archived from the original on November 7, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "Baltimore City Council, 1923-present". msa.maryland.gov. Maryland State Archives. Archived from the original on March 16, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  3. ↑ https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc5300/sc5339/000113/012000/012811/unrestricted/20100688e-018.pdf.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ↑ "Baltimore Mayor Guilty of Gift Card Theft - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. December 1, 2009. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Ex-Baltimore mayor resolves probation violations". WBAL-TV . December 7, 2012. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  6. ↑ "2016 Election Results". elections.maryland.gov. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  7. ↑ "2016 Election Results". elections.maryland.gov. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  8. 1 2 Opilo, Emily; Richman, Talia (June 9, 2020). "Baltimore's Democratic voters nominate Scott for mayor in narrow primary victory over former officeholder Dixon". Baltimore Sun . Archived from the original on June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  9. ↑ Opilo, Emily (September 7, 2023). "Former Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon to run again in 2024, apologizes again for crimes that forced her from office". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 Sulliivan, Joanna (May 22, 2020). "2020 Baltimore mayoral profiles: Sheila Dixon". Baltimore Business Journal. Archived from the original on November 12, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  11. ↑ "In Baltimore Mayor's Race, Sheila Dixon Seeks Forgiveness and a Second Chance". Governing. March 23, 2016. Archived from the original on July 12, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  12. ↑ Broadwater, Luke (May 15, 2020). "Sheila Dixon knows the pandemic could hurt her run for Baltimore mayor. Can she still win?". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  13. 1 2 "General election". The Baltimore Sun. November 5, 1995. Archived from the original on June 22, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  14. ↑ Crawford, Jonathan N. (May 3, 2007). "Dixon Impresses Early On, But Questions Remain". The Washington Informer . Capital News Service. Archived from the original on January 23, 2009.
  15. ↑ Anft, Michael (October 13, 1999). "Campaign Beat: GOP's Campbell Takes on Sheila Dixon and the Status Quo". City Paper . Archived from the original on January 23, 2009.
  16. ↑ Yakaitis, Chris. "Maryland Votes 2006". Maryland Newsline. Capital News Service (Maryland). Archived from the original on June 4, 2010. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
  17. ↑ "2003 Baltimore City Primary Election Results". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  18. ↑ Luke Broadwater (November 9, 2006). "Dixon to become Baltimore's first female mayor". Washington Examiner. Archived from the original on January 18, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Mayor Reduces Murder Rate". WBAL-TV . Retrieved April 2, 2008.[ permanent dead link ]
  20. ↑ "Murders Drop In City In January". WBAL (AM) . Retrieved February 4, 2008.[ dead link ]
  21. ↑ "Baltimore's Murder Rate". WBAL-TV . Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2008.
  22. ↑ Ditkoff, Anna (April 16, 2008). "Murder Ink". City Paper . Archived from the original on April 22, 2008. Retrieved April 17, 2008.
  23. ↑ "Baltimore Homicides". Archived from the original on July 6, 2009. Retrieved July 10, 2009.
  24. 1 2 Topic Galleries – baltimoresun.com [ permanent dead link ]
  25. ↑ Melody Simmons (May 3, 2007). "Baltimore Mayor Unveils Strategy to Attack Increase in Gun Crime". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
  26. ↑ "Mayors Against Illegal Guns: Coalition Members". Archived from the original on March 5, 2007.
  27. ↑ Topic Galleries – baltimoresun.com [ permanent dead link ]
  28. 1 2 Linskey, Annie (June 20, 2007). "Dixon, police meet over crime plan". The Baltimore Sun . Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Dixon Tells Police Her Crime Plan; Critics Blast It". WBAL (AM) . June 20, 2007. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  30. ↑ "O'Malley, Mfume Endorse Dixon In Mayor's Race". WBAL-TV . August 13, 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Statement of Votes Cast; Baltimore City Primary Held September 11, 2007" (PDF). boe.baltimorecity.gov. Baltimore City Board of Elections. September 22, 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  32. ↑ "Statement of Votes Cast; Baltimore City General Held November 6, 2007" (PDF). boe.baltimorecity.gov. Baltimore City Board of Elections. November 18, 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  33. ↑ "Mayor Sheila Dixon's 2007 Inaugural Address" (PDF). January 18, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 10, 2008.
  34. ↑ Fritze, John; Donovan, Doug (June 24, 2008). "Dixon gifts probed". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on September 29, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  35. ↑ "Affidavit in support of the application for a search and seizure warrant" (PDF). The Baltimore Sun. June 24, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 14, 2009. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  36. ↑ "Mayor Sheila Dixon indicted". The Baltimore Sun. January 9, 2009. Archived from the original on January 18, 2009. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
  37. ↑ "probation before judgment". Mitchie. Archived from the original on December 2, 2009. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  38. ↑ Lang, Robert (January 7, 2010). "In Spite Of Resignation, Dixon Can Run Again". WBAL (AM) . Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  39. ↑ "Dixon Announces Resignation as Mayor of Baltimore". WBAL-TV . January 6, 2010. Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  40. ↑ "Sheila Dixon is early front-runner in Baltimore's mayoral race, new poll shows". Baltimore Sun. November 21, 2015. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  41. ↑ Wenger, Yvonne (April 12, 2016). "Elijah Cummings endorses Catherine Pugh for Baltimore mayor". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  42. ↑ Broadwater, Luke; Wenger, Yvonne (April 27, 2016), "Catherine Pugh defeats Sheila Dixon in Democratic primary of Baltimore mayor's race", The Baltimore Sun, archived from the original on November 16, 2017, retrieved September 25, 2019
  43. ↑ "Baltimore City- Mayor". Maryland Board of Elections. May 9, 2016. Archived from the original on May 9, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  44. ↑ Young, Blair (December 15, 2019). "Sheila Dixon enters Baltimore mayoral race". WBAL-TV . Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  45. ↑ Opilo, Emily; Richman, Talia (January 16, 2020). "Baltimore mayoral candidates raise $2.3M, signaling expensive and bitter fight ahead for crowded field". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  46. ↑ "Former Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon to run again in 2024, apologizes again for crimes that forced her from office". Baltimore Sun. September 7, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  47. ↑ Fritze, John (January 19, 2007). "Dixon takes oath". The Baltimore Sun . Archived from the original on March 28, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
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