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Gift card scandal could sink Baltimore mayor


Last Update: 11/07 6:25 am
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Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon holds a news conference in her lawyers office after being indicted on 12 counts of corruption January 9, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. Dixon is being indicted on charges that she excepted illegal gifts as Baltimore's mayor and when serving as City Council president. (Steve Ruark, Getty Images)
Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon holds a news conference in her lawyers office after being indicted on 12 counts of corruption January 9, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. Dixon is being indicted on charges that she excepted illegal gifts as Baltimore's mayor and when serving as City Council president. (Steve Ruark, Getty Images)

BALTIMORE (AP) — Baltimore mayor Sheila Dixon is about to put her political future in the hands of a jury.

Dixon goes on trial Monday on theft charges. She's accused of hitting up her wealthy developer pals to donate thousands of dollars' worth of gift cards to needy families. Prosecutors say she used those gift cards for her personal shopping instead.

A plea deal would do Dixon no good. Under state law, she would be tossed out of office if convicted of any felony or misdemeanor related to her official duties.

Dixon answered a handful of questions about her trial in a meeting with reporters this week but declined additional interview requests. She says she has not given any thought to stepping down.


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