Awww. One of the Maryland lawmakers responsible for derailing marriage equality in that state has been as charged with embezzling campaign funds "in part to pay for her [own] wedding," reports the Washington Post.
Del. Tiffany T. Alston, 34, a little-known freshman state lawmaker before this spring, is charged with writing herself checks and cashing them to pay for at least $3,560 in expenses for her wedding day. According to the Office of the Maryland State Prosecutor, she also wrote herself checks to help pay the salary of an employee in her law firm.
Alston’s wedding, attended by some fellow lawmakers and sorority sisters, was derided this spring by some gay activists. With whispers and shrugs outside Annapolis hearing rooms, some said it was ironic that so close to the celebration of her own nuptials a lawmaker reversed course and opposed letting gays marry in Maryland.
Among other charges detailed Friday in a five-count indictment filed in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, Alston faces a charge of felony theft, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $10,000. She also is charged with one count of misdemeanor theft, one count of fraudulent misappropriation by a fiduciary and two election law violations. The misdemeanor charge also carries a potential 18-month prison term.
The Democrat initially co-sponsored the marriage equality bill but later opposed it "for [her] constituents." When the bill was in committee, Alston and another delegate literally ran from the hearing room to delay the vote.
Reap, sow, pot, kettle. Lather, rinse, repeat.
As a Maryland resident in the next district over from her's, I have to say that I had a feeling of schadenfreude when I read this story over the weekend. How ironic that the same issue that she flip-flopped on is the issue that may well do her in...I only hope that we can get her out of office quickly and replace her with someone who stands for marriage equality.
One of my biggest fears is that something will happen to me or my partner and we will not be able to make decisions based on what we know the other would want done. Hopefully we will be able to marry here soon.
Posted by: butchie | 26 September 2011 at 19:22
What goes around, comes around.
Serves her right. I hope they throw a big GAY book at her.
Posted by: JBK | 27 September 2011 at 00:20