My cousin is under investigation by the State of Maryland

[??????????]

My cousin is pretty high up in the City of Baltimore. Apparently he was breaking a "rule" one which he himself wrote. I told him not to be hanging out with Democrats.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-md.ci.boat26aug26,0,73877.story

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-md.ci.boat27aug27,0,532631.story

[minionofmidas]

[??????????]

I personally don't believe he did anything wrong at all. He is a pretty awesome guy and I don't consider him to be crooked.

[Chief Justice PiT]

I personally don't believe he did anything wrong at all. He is a pretty awesome guy and I don't consider him to be crooked.

     That sucks.

[AkSaber]

If this should go to trial, you think you would be called to testify as a character witness?

[??????????]

If this should go to trial, you think you would be called to testify as a character witness?

No idea, but I'd defend him.

[12th Doctor]

Wow... I really want to go to the Mary-Land Renaissance Festival, now.



Uh... I mean, sorry about your cousin.

[AkSaber]

If this should go to trial, you think you would be called to testify as a character witness?

No idea, but I'd defend him.

Ah, ok. I hope it doesn't go that far. Best of luck to your cousin.

[All aboard the Carney-val]

At least he isn't in China.

Some of my uncles have been running extremely sleazy businesses for the past 10 years and haven't been caught. Perhaps it's because of a little something they give out.

[minionofmidas]

I personally don't believe he did anything wrong at all. He is a pretty awesome guy and I don't consider him to be crooked.

I just find it funny when people draw up stringent anti-corruption rules and then fall foul of them themselves, without necessarily being arch-corrupt.
An "ah, the irony" moment, you know?

As to the articles, well there's three possible interpretations:

-He might not have known that the boat had been impounded and auctioned off. In which case, he did *literally* "nothing wrong". But how likely is that, really?
-He might have thought it no big deal, as he knew he wasn't getting any special price and wasn't expected be dealing out any favors. He either forgot about his rule or, more likely, figured that noone would care.
In this case, he broke the rule but still didn't really do anything wrong. The problem, of course, lies with the pretty damn slippery slope that begins at this point... which is exactly why the rule is what it is.
-Or, of course, it's a case of bribery. Probably still a pretty mild "building good relationships" kind of thing. It's pretty much downright absurd to assume a straight "you give me that boat cheap and I'll give you the higher towing fee you want" deal. Still *wrong*, though.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Talking of corruption, did you hear the one about the former Liberal MP who was given thousands of shares in an asbestos manufacturing company, and who then rubbished claims about the health risks of asbestos and argued in favour of less regulations on the stuff in a debate in the Commons?

Cyril Smith was (and is) such an utter shit.

[minionofmidas]

Talking of corruption and towing companies...

"The streetlamps are on in Chicago tonight,
And lovers a'gazin' at stars;
The stores are all closin', and Daley is dozin',
And the fat man is counting the cars...
There's more cars than places to put 'em, he says,
But I've got room for them all;
So 'round 'em up boys, 'cause I want some more toys,
In the lot by the grocery store...

To me, way, hey, tow them away,
The Lincoln Park Pirates are we,
From Wilmette to Gary, there's nothin' so hairy
And we always collect our fee!
So it's way, hey, tow 'em away,
We plunder the streets of your town,
Be it Edsel or Chevy, there's no car too heavy,
And no one can make us shut down.

We break into cars when we gotta,
With hammer and pickaxe and saw;
And they said this garage had no license;
But little care I for the law!
Our drivers are friendly and courteous;
Their good manners you always will get;
'Cause they all are recent graduates
Of the charm school in Joliet.

To me, way, hey, tow them away,
The Lincoln Park Pirates are we,
From Wilmette to Gary, there's nothin' so hairy
And we always collect our fee!
So it's way, hey, tow 'em away,
We plunder the streets of your town,
Be it Edsel or Chevy, there's no car too heavy,
And no one can make us shut down.

And when all the cars are collected,
And all of their fenders are ruined,
Then I'll tow all the boats in Belmont Harbor
To the Lincoln Park Lagoon;
And when I've collected the ransom,
And sunk all the ones that won't yield;
I'll tow all the planes that are blocking the runways
At Midway, O'Hare, and Meigs Field!

To me, way, hey, tow them away,
The Lincoln Park Pirates are we,
From Wilmette to Gary, there's nothin' so hairy
And we always collect our fee!
So it's way, hey, tow 'em away,
Now citizens, gather around,
And I think it's enough, let's call his bluff,
Let's throw the bum out of town!"

Steve Goodman on the Lincoln Towing Company, apparently known to Chicagoans (back in the day) as the Lincoln Park Pirates.

[Beet]

After working for the city for 31 years, I guess he deserves some perks on a motorboat purchase.