Developer Ronald H. Lipscomb speaks to the media Thursday after his sentencing in Baltimore. At right is Lipscomb's attorney, Gerard Martin. (Baltimore Sun photo by Algerina Perna / October 29, 2009) |
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A Circuit Court judge this morning sentenced Baltimore developer Ronald H. Lipscomb to 100 hours of community service and required that he pay a $25,000 fine for making an illegal campaign contribution.
Judge Dennis M. Sweeney also barred Lipscomb from making political contributions and required that he continue cooperating with the state prosecutor's City Hall corruption investigations as a condition of his probation. The probation is set to last three years.
"This is a criminal action that you engaged in, I don't want to paper that over," said Sweeney, a retired Howard County judge overseeing four cases related to improper City Hall spending.
In June, Lipscomb pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance rules by funding half of a $12,500 poll for City Councilwoman Helen L. Holton. Maryland law prohibits donors from giving more than $4,000 per candidate per election cycle. Baking magnate John Paterakis pleaded guilty in July to paying $6,000 toward the same poll.
Lipscomb apologized for breaking the campaign rules when he spoke briefly before his sentencing this morning.
"I have no one else to blame but myself," he said. "If I had not made some stupid and selfish decisions I would not be here today."
State Prosecutor Robert A. Rohrbaugh said after the hearing that there are "cozy" relationships between developers and politicians in Baltimore.
"I hope it will send a message," he said.
The sentencing was the last scheduled court hearing before Mayor Sheila Dixon's criminal trial on theft charges, which is set to begin on Nov. 9. Dixon is accused of improperly using gift cards that Lipscomb and another developer gave her office for distribution to needy families. The mayor also faces a separate perjury trial that has not yet been scheduled.
Holton has also been accused of campaign finance violations for accepting the poll. Her trial is set for Dec. 9.
Judge Dennis M. Sweeney also barred Lipscomb from making political contributions and required that he continue cooperating with the state prosecutor's City Hall corruption investigations as a condition of his probation. The probation is set to last three years.
"This is a criminal action that you engaged in, I don't want to paper that over," said Sweeney, a retired Howard County judge overseeing four cases related to improper City Hall spending.
In June, Lipscomb pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance rules by funding half of a $12,500 poll for City Councilwoman Helen L. Holton. Maryland law prohibits donors from giving more than $4,000 per candidate per election cycle. Baking magnate John Paterakis pleaded guilty in July to paying $6,000 toward the same poll.
Lipscomb apologized for breaking the campaign rules when he spoke briefly before his sentencing this morning.
"I have no one else to blame but myself," he said. "If I had not made some stupid and selfish decisions I would not be here today."
State Prosecutor Robert A. Rohrbaugh said after the hearing that there are "cozy" relationships between developers and politicians in Baltimore.
"I hope it will send a message," he said.
The sentencing was the last scheduled court hearing before Mayor Sheila Dixon's criminal trial on theft charges, which is set to begin on Nov. 9. Dixon is accused of improperly using gift cards that Lipscomb and another developer gave her office for distribution to needy families. The mayor also faces a separate perjury trial that has not yet been scheduled.
Holton has also been accused of campaign finance violations for accepting the poll. Her trial is set for Dec. 9.
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Honourable Sheila, please invest in a prayer shawl because the turncoats who voted for you are tripping.
Titibnc (10/30/2009, 2:39 AM )