Ahh, Baltimore…

I’m a bit late on this one, but living in a city that right now defines large-scale political corruption in the national imagination (Chicago), I felt a twinge of nostalgia for my hometown of Baltimore, with its somewhat more petty variety:

Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon was indicted Friday on 12 counts of corruption as part of a long-running investigation that saw a councilwoman indicted earlier this week.

It seems Ms. Dixon had, among other things, been misappropriating gift cards donated to the city during the holiday season for needy families:

The indictment also alleges Dixon fraudulently used gift cards at as many as six stores, including Target, Old Navy, Circuit City, Toys “R” Us and a Giant food store, dating back to 2004. Other gift card purchases included an Xbox, a Sony PlayStation, a digital camcorder, an iPod and clothes, the indictment said.

Look, some politicians leverage their power to by and sell senate seats; others, PlayStations. The thing is, it’s all just so… Baltimore.