Black Politicians Who Are Bad for Black People: 2010 Picks For Worst Black Leaders

Not since the days of Watergate have we witnessed the level of corruption that is running rampant in the hallowed halls of Congress, state offices and city governments. And to add insult to injury, African American politicians — or politricians as they are known in some circles — have the audacity to stand in direct contradiction to the ideals that galvanized blacks to fight for the right to vote and with that right, hold office. During a time of dire economic circumstances and the devastation of communities, cities and the country in general — thanks to callous corporate leaders, insidious Washington insiders and sadistic stock brokers — it’s unfathomable that black civil servants would capitalize on the chaos and wreak more havoc on their stressed and overburdened constituents. –roz edward

Here Are the 2010 Top Picks for Worst Political Scandals Involving African American Government Officials:

1. Detroit: Dec. 15, Detroit’s disgraced former mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick had 38 more federal felony charges added to the 19 is currently charged with. Along with Kilpatrick, his father and 13 of his closest friends and co-conspirators face a slew of charges ranging from extortion to perjury  and fraud. The scandal broke after another of Kilpatrick’s indiscretions, an extramarital affair with his chief of staff, Christine Beatty. More serious charges may be leveled concluding an investigation into the death of a stripper who allegedly attended a party at the mayoral mansion. 

2. New York: Dec. 2, The U.S. House of Representatives approved a sanction of censure against legendary Congressman Charlie Rangel after having been found to have improperly used his congressional staff and official letterhead to solicit donations from corporate charities and chief executives for a college wing named in his honor. He also violated New York City laws by housing his political committees in rent-controlled apartments in Harlem, did not pay taxes on a villa he owns in the Dominican Republic, and did not properly disclose hundreds of thousands of dollars in personal financial assets.

3.Washington, D.C: Nov. 12, Prince Georges County executive Jack Johnson and his wife Leslie, a judge and newly elected county councilwoman, were arrested on charges of evidence tampering and witness intimidation. Johnson instructed his wife to flush a $100,000 check down a toilet and stuff cash in her bra earlier in the day, according to the criminal complaint. Agents who eventually searched Leslie Johnson recovered $79,600 from her underwear.

4. Georgia: Sept. 9, U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop, D-Ga., awarded his stepdaughter, a niece and an aide’s future wife college scholarships through the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, making him the second House Democrat known to use the group to steer money to relatives and associates.

5. Dallas,Texas: Aug. 30, U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, is also accused of using CBC Scholarship funds as their personal family gift bag. Johnson is one of the CBC’s scholarship funds worst culprits, giving $31,000 in scholarship money to her relatives. She also signed two letters written to the CBC Foundation specifically requesting that the funds be sent directly to her two grandsons and grand nephews, instead of their universities.

6. Los Angeles: Aug. 9, Dishonorable Mention:  The House ethics committee leveled three counts of alleged ethics violations against      

California Democrat Maxine Waters, including a charge that she requested federal help for a bank where her husband owned stock and had served on its board. Waters, a 10-term representative from Los Angeles, has denied any wrongdoing,

If there is a political Hall of Shame — and realistically how could there not be — these officials who not only lost touch with the people whose interests they purport to represent and are sworn to serve, they have defiled them with unscrupulous dealings and unadulterated greed.  Is it any wonder the Obama administration is under such extreme scrutiny — his proponents are just waiting for him to show his true color.