A Baltimore developer who once dated the city’s mayor has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate campaign finance law.
Ronald Lipscomb was originally charged with bribery, but he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge Monday after agreeing to cooperate in other cases, prosecutors said.
The charges against Lipscomb, 52, were part of a years-long investigation into finances at city hall. The majority of various corruption charges against Mayor Sheila Dixon and Councilwoman Helen Horton were thrown out last month. Lipscomb pleading guilty to giving to Horton’s campaign more than the $4,000 allowed per person, and his now forthcoming testimony could play a role in the theft charges still pending against Dixon.
During his brief relationship with Dixon, the prominent developer gave $500 gift cards to Dixon’s office as part of a charity drive for needy families, court documents said. Prosecutors have accused Dixon of stealing gift cards donated by Lipscomb and other developers.
