Sheila Dixon

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In November 2009, Dixon was tried for three counts of felony theft, three counts of misdemeanor embezzlement/misappropriation, and a single count of misconduct of office. The trial began on November 10, 2009, with Arnold M. Weiner serving as lead counsel. During the trial, two counts (one theft charge and one embezzlement/misappropriation charge) were dropped when prosecutors declined to call a key witness. On December 1, 2009, after seven days of deliberations, the jury returned verdicts on four of the five remaining counts. Dixon was found not guilty of the two felony-theft charges, as well as not guilty of the one count of misconduct of office.

She was found guilty on one misdemeanor embezzlement charge relating to her use of over $600 worth of retail-store gift cards that were intended to be distributed to needy families. The jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision regarding the final charge of misdemeanor embezzlement.

Resignation and probation

On January 6, 2010, as part of a plea agreement reached with prosecutors, Dixon announced that she was resigning as mayor, effective February 4, 2010. Under the terms of the agreement, Dixon received probation before judgment (PBJ) in the recent case in which she had been found guilty, as well as in a perjury trial that had been scheduled for March 2010. Under the Criminal Procedure Article, sec. 6–220 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, [37] a PBJ is not a conviction, thereby enabling her to keep her $83,000 pension. [38] Also, under Maryland law, a PBJ may be expunged from one's record once the probationary period is over.

Dixon was sentenced to four years of probation under the terms of the agreement. She also was required to donate $45,000 to the Bea Gaddy Foundation and to serve 500 hours of community service at Our Daily Bread. In addition, she agreed to sell gifts she received from developers, including a fur coat and electronics that she purchased with gift cards. Dixon agreed to not seek office anywhere in the state of Maryland, including Baltimore, during her probationary term and that she will not solicit or accept taxpayer money to pay her defense fees. [39]

2016 Mayoral election

In 2015, Dixon made a second attempt at becoming mayor of Baltimore. She was the front-runner in the Democratic primary until early 2016, [40] when Congressman Elijah Cummings endorsed her leading opponent, Catherine Pugh in April 2016. [41] Pugh won the Democratic primary with 37% of the vote, while Dixon received 35% of the vote. [42]

Sheila Dixon
Sheliadixon07 (1).jpg
Dixon in 2007
49th Mayor of Baltimore
In office
January 17, 2007 February 4, 2010
Democratic primary results [43]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Catherine Pugh 48,665 36.6
Democratic Sheila Dixon46,21934.7
Democratic Elizabeth Embry15,56211.7
Democratic David Warnock10,8358.1
Democratic Carl Stokes4,6203.5
Democratic DeRay Mckesson3,4452.6
Total votes133,009 100.00

2020 Mayoral election

On December 14, 2019, Dixon announced she was running for mayor of Baltimore in the 2020 election. [44] After the first campaign finance reporting date in mid January of 2020, Dixon's campaign reported that it had raised roughly $100,000. Incumbent Mayor Jack Young, also running for mayor, had $960,000 cash on hand during the same reporting period. [45] In the June 2, 2020 Democratic primary, she narrowly lost to Brandon Scott. [8]

2024 Mayoral election

In September 2023, Dixon announced that she would again run for mayor of Baltimore, setting up a rematch of the 2020 Democratic primary contest between Dixon and the now-incumbent mayor Brandon Scott. [46] On May 14, 2024 she again lost the democratic primary to Mayor Scott.

Personal life

Twice divorced, Dixon raised her two children, Jasmine and Joshua, as a single mom. [47] She is the aunt of professional basketball player Juan Dixon, who led the University of Maryland to the 2002 NCAA championship, and Jermaine Dixon, who played guard for the University of Pittsburgh men's basketball team.

An active member of Bethel A.M.E. Church and former church trustee, Dixon continues to serve as a member of the Stewardess Board. She serves on other boards, including the Institute of Human Virology, the Transplant Resource Center, the Urban Health Initiative, the Baltimore Public Markets Corporation, the Living Classrooms Foundation, and the Walters Art Museum.

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Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Baltimore
2007–2010
Succeeded by