Another Black Mayor Under Scrutiny
Looks like the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office is going after Roosevelt Dorn, the outspoken, sometimes controversial Black mayor of Inglewood known for his military-style persona, commitment to young people and passion for justice.
Dorn was charged Thursday with conflict-of-interest and misappropriation of public funds. The 72-year-old is expected to appear for arraignment July 3, 2008 at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse in connection with one felony count each of conflict of interest, unauthorized loan and misappropriation of public funds without authority of law. He also is charged with one misdemeanor count of conflict of interest.
The criminal complaint alleges that the crimes occurred in November 2004. The charges stem from Dorn’s alleged request to have a city residence incentive providing low-interest housing in Inglewood for executive non-elected municipal employees extended to elected officials, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Dorn, who has not been arrested, could face up to four years and eight months in state prison if convicted as charged. Any plea bargain would likely result in immediate resignation from office, which is the ONLY reason this is being pursued.
According to the Wave Newspaper, the alleged criminal acts are a violation of Section 1090 of the California Government Code. They stem from the Inglewood Residential Incentive Policy program the city developed to encourage administrators and public sector employees who work in Inglewood to purchase a home and establish roots in the community.
The ordained minister, one-time sheriff's deputy, prosecutor and former Los Angeles Superior Court judge will be given the choice of pleading guilty or no contest, paying a fine, resigning from office and seeking no future political office. In the alternative, he could plead not guilty and establish what's really behind not only this travesty of justice, but also a waste of public resources.
Knowing Dorn personally, I see him aggressively fighting the charges, going to trial and ultimately being completely exonerated from any kind of criminal impropriety. Smart, tough, and relentless, he's not someone who backs down from a brawl. Dorn just doesn't operate that way.
The government code sections in question involve public employees being forbidden from having an interest in any contract, and in violation of Section 424 p of the California Penal Code, which addresses “crimes against public revenue.”
The investigation has focused on the married father of three, as well as Inglewood City Treasurer Wanda Brown, for securing low-interest mortgage loans through a program established in 1992 for city administrators. Apparently Brown will not be charged for any malfeasance.
(Mayor Dorn, with his wife Joyce at a recent re-election celebration)
Assuming there is some technical merit to these code violations, the facts suggest that the actions occurred during public city council meetings after the Inglewood City Attorney's office cleared the participation. In addition, Mayor Dorn has completely repaid the loan, plus interest.
Initially established by the predominantly African-American and Latino municipality in 1992 to provide low-cost housing loans to lure prospective employees to the city, in June 2004, the City Council voted to extend the program to elected and unelected administrators. It also was expanded so that loans could be used to maintain a residence, as well as purchase one.
Records apparently show that Dorn, along with Councilman Eloy Morales and then-Councilman (now Assemblyman) Curren Price, voted in 2004 to extend the loan program benefits to themselves, while Councilman Ralph Franklin abstained and Councilwoman Judy Dunlap, a perennial mayoral candidate who often clashes with Dorn, was absent.
Expect lots of community outrage over this powderkeg. Mayor Dorn has tons of support and trust me, folks will have something to say about this, myself included!
BREAKING NEWS - DORN RESIGNS (SMH!!!)
Sad news to report. Inglewood Mayor Roosevelt Dorn resigned Monday after pleading guilty to a conflict-of-interest charge as part of an agreement with the Los Angeles District Attorney's office. The deal came as jury selection was set to begin in his trial for alleged corruption.
Dorn had cast the deciding vote on the Inglewood City Council to extend a low-interest, home-loan program to city employees. He then took out a $500,000 loan under the program for himself. He used the money to pay of his mortgage, and he has since paid off the low-interest debt.
The 74-year-old was in his third term as mayor of the predominantly black and Latino Southern California city. As part of the deal he will serve two years under probation, pay a $1,000, and avoid holding public office ever again.