Hartford Mayor Arrested on Bribery Charges

Messy campaign finance system explains Blago verdict: Scott Turow

(NEWSER) - An Illinois jury's failure to convict Rod Blagojevich on bribery-related charges despite damning evidence starts to make sense when you look at America's shambolic campaign finance system, argues Scott Turow. The huge number of loopholes, together with the Supreme Court's decision to lift restrictions on corporate campaign donations, has turned the system into "little more than a form of legalized influence-buyin," the lawyer and best-selling author writes in the New York Times . More»

(USER SUBMITTED) - Ex-Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick can't catch a break. Currently serving at least 14 months in prison for parole violations stemming from a 2008 conviction of perjury, misconduct in office and obstruction of justice from the so-called Text Messaging Scandal, he's now been indicted by a grand jury on 19 counts of fraud and tax evasion. According to prosecutors, Kilpatrick failed to report over $640,000 of taxable income that he received while mayor of Detroit, and spent on things like golf lessons, a Cadillac, and summer camp for his kids. More»

Sheila Dixon could be removed from office

(AP) - Baltimore's mayor was convicted today on a single charge she took gift cards intended for the city's poor. Although Sheila Dixon was acquitted of felony theft charges, her misdemeanor conviction could force her from office. Jurors deliberated more than six days after hearing accusations the Democrat improperly used or kept $630 worth of gift cards. She was accused of soliciting most of the cards from a wealthy developer and buying electronics at Best Buy, clothes at Old Navy, and knickknacks at Target. More»

(AP) - A federal jury convicted a former Louisiana congressman today of taking bribes on 11 of 16 counts in a case in which agents found $90,000 in his freezer. Former Rep. William Jefferson, a Democrat who had represented parts of New Orleans, was accused of accepting more than $400,000 in bribes and seeking millions more in exchange for brokering business deals in Africa. He was convicted of charges including bribery, racketeering, and money laundering. More»

Rattner's pay-to-play 'scandal' is common practice

(NEWSER) - The press is abuzz over Obama auto-recovery boss Steven Rattner’s ties to a pay-to-play scandal, but every story about Rattner mentions he’s not accused of anything. What he apparently did—paid to receive part of a public pension fund to manage—is “an open practice,” so why the fuss? asks Michael Kinsley in the Washington Post. More»