Let punishment fit crime

Oliver, a Randallstown Democrat, took $4,000 in campaign funds. Bad. He’s also in trouble for not keeping receipts for campaign expenses which were reimbursed in whole numbers. More bad. But he returned the $4,000 before anyone called him on it and last year apologized to the state board of elections for a “poor choice in handling a family emergency.” He has not yet responded to the receipt issue.

For his actions he was indicted for felony theft earlier this week and could face up to 15 years in prison and a $25,000 fine if convicted.

That seems like a punishment way in excess of the crime. What criminals do you know who write to watchdogs alerting them to their actions and outlining how they have remedied them?

As Oliver noted in his February 2008 letter to the state elections board, “there was nothing hidden, no subterfuge.” This does not excuse a public official from violating the law, but the public shaming he’s getting know seems like punishment enough.

It makes us laugh that County Councilman Vince Gardina called the indictment “unfortunate” and said, “It’s even more unfortunate when elected officials get accused of this type of thing because it just perpetuates the public perception that all elected officials are corrupt.” This is from a guy who flagrantly violated county law by holding a state job at the same time he held his county commissioner position and then tried to change the law to his favor. Silence would have been more appropriate on his end.

Strict adherence to the letter and spirit of the law is always the way to go to show taxpayers that public officials hold themselves to the same rules the rest of us must. Oliver learned his lesson — and has been warned he can’t fudge the numbers. Putting him in prison is not worth Rohrbaugh’s time nor taxpayers’ dollars. Rohrbaugh should push for a plea and suspended sentence. Oliver should take it.