Mayor Sheila Dixon Gift Card Scandal Could End Career

Sheila Dixon, the Mayor of Baltimore, is getting heat from accusations that she used donated gift cards intended for the needy on her own personal shopping sprees. A trial starts Monday to determine whether or not she will be convicted of the theft, and thrown out of office.

Sheila Dixon might be kicked out of office if convicted. (baltimoresun.com)
Mayor Dixon has been accused of using thousands of dollars worth of gift cards donated from wealthy developers to buy items for herself at stores like Best Buy and Old Navy. She is also facing a trial on charges of perjury because sources claim she did not report political gifts given by her ex-boyfriend, in return for tax breaks for his development firm.

Under Maryland laws, if she is convicted of the felony theft charges, she must leave office. The laws state that any state official who is found guilty of a felony or misdemeanor crime related to her position in office must leave. So, a plea deal is not an option.

She said (via AP): "I have no reason that I'm going to resign." And she has "tremendous support from citizens."