When it comes to politicians, most Americans are quite aware that they come in three groups: Republicans, Democrats, and ? crooks who run for office under whichever party’s banner they think will get them elected. At least we catch some of those in the latter category, though (but probably not enough). Here’s a listing of the 13 elected politicians convicted in 2014 on various charges:
- In December, North Miami Mayor Lucie Tondreau was convicted of participation in an $11 million mortgage fraud scheme before she was elected. She’ll be sentenced in March 2015.
- Illinois State Rep. Keith Farnham pleaded guilty to child pornography charges in December. He resigned from office in April, and after his home was raided by the FBI in March.
- In February, former New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin was convicted of 20 counts of accepting bribes while in office, which he left after completing his second term in 2010. He accepted over $200,000 in kickbacks and gifts from contractors while mayor, the jury determined.
- Mass. State Rep. Carlos Henriquez was convicted in Jan. 2014 on charges of domestic violence. A woman pressed charges on Henriquez after he struck her after she refused sex.
- Trenton, New Jersey’s Mayor Tony Mack was found guilty on multiple claims of corruption in February. The charges included bribery, extortion, and money laundering.
- New York State Assemblywoman Gabriela Rosa was convicted in October of what be the strangest of charges in this collection: a sham marriage. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Rosa was found guilty of paying someone $8,000 to marry her so that she could get U.S. citizenship.
- Two other New York state representatives were found guilty of the same crime (bribery), but in unrelated cases. Eric Stevenson was convicted in January for taking $20,000 from developers of a senior center. In March, William F. Boyland Jr. was convicted for seeking a quarter-million in exchange for political favors. Boyland’s arrest for this case came just three weeks after he’d been acquitted on other bribery charges.
- New York City councilman Dan Halloran was convicted in July for accepting $18,000 in bribes to aid the tricks of another’s political campaign for mayor. Incidentally, Halloran was the first Theodist ever elected to the city’s council.
- Charlotte, North Carolina’s mayor was convicted in July of public corruption charges. Patrick Cannon, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud, is now serving 44 months in federal prison.
- After a two-year investigation he continually interrupted, South Carolina’s Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell pled guilty in October to six charges of misconduct, including misuse of campaign funds. Harrell is supposed to aid continued investigation in exchange for a reduced sentence.
- In September, Virginia governor Bob McDonnell was found guilty on 11 charges of corruption, and based on his political favors and actions in exchange for gifts, vacations, and cash. His wife Maureen was convicted for eight of the same charges, along with an additional claim of obstruction of justice.
- Ernie Davis, mayor of Mount Vernon, New York, was convicted in December for misdemeanor tax evasion. He didn’t file with the IRS in 2011, and failed to report earnings from a home sale in 2003, the jury determined.
