It’s perversely impressive when they actually, literally steal from the poor. Very 19th Century, only with better sanitation.

Baltimore mayor indicted on theft, perjury charges

BALTIMORE — Mayor Sheila Dixon was indicted Friday on charges that she accepted illegal gifts during her time as mayor and City Council president, including travel, fur coats and gift cards intended for the poor that she allegedly used instead for a holiday shopping spree.

A grand jury indicted Dixon on 12 counts, including four counts of perjury and two counts of theft over $500. She was also charged with theft under $500, fraudulent misappropriation by a fiduciary and misconduct in office.

The State Prosecutor’s Office, which has been investigating corruption at City Hall for nearly three years, said Dixon received holiday gift cards for four years from several people. Prosecutors said the gift cards were to be distributed to needy families, but were instead used by Dixon to buy electronics _ including an Xbox, a PlayStation 2 and a camcorder _ clothes and other merchandise and also handed out to members of her staff.

Contra Ed Morrissey, I count the Name! That! Party! number at eleven paragraphs. Maybe it looks different in print. [UPDATE: Our own Dan Spencer agrees with my count.]

Not much more here to report, except to read the whole thing: it’s the usual tawdry story of adultery, perjury, money laundering, larceny both petty and grand, and general chicanery. There’s no indication at this time that Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley (D) is involved in Mayor Sheila Dixon’s (D) alleged criminal activities; no doubt he’ll be cleared of any lingering suspicions once the trial has commenced. In the meantime, I suggest that you check out Red Maryland for more details about Mayor Sheila Dixon (D). She’s quite the character.

If you like people who steal from poor people, that is.

Moe Lane