Back in March, as previously reported in The Mobtown Shank ("Belinda Conaway: A Question Of Residence"), Examiner columnist Adam Meister pointed out a problem for Baltimore City Councilwoman Belinda Conaway - that documents show that not only does she not live in the city district she represents, but she doesn't even live in Baltimore City itself.
In his story, Meister linked to a copy of a deed indicating that Belinda Conaway and her husband, Milton D. Washington, have owned the Randallstown house since 2006. That was paired with an affidavit in which Conaway claims the house as her principal residence.
“The one thing the world cannot deny, that is a fact, that you can look on the Baltimore County tax records, that she is getting the homestead property tax credit there,” Meister said in response to questions about the suit.
Baltimore County property tax records, available online, show that Conaway and her husband received a county homestead tax credit for the property last year that amounted to $708.71.
So the response of Conaway, a public figure and elected official, has been to sue Meister and his employer The Examiner for $21 million.
Legal experts I've spoken with agree that given her status as a public figure, and the viability of the documents Meister cited, Ms. Conaway does not have a case. And most likely, Ms. Conaway already knows that.
So why is she suing?
Damage control.
Elections are this fall, and Ms. Conaway is already a soft target for a primary challenge given her controversial efforts to bring an unwelcome Wal-Mart into North Baltimore. That coupled with evidence suggesting she doesn't live in the city makes her hold on her council seat very tentative.
So by suing the press, not only is she trying to have a dampening effect on those taking a serious look at her, but she's trying to send a message to constituents that she is somehow the victim here.
It's a risky move for Conaway which more than likely will backfire given the ridiculous sum of money she is suing for. Instead of making her seem like the victim, to many of her constituents it makes her seem like a litigious, ass-covering bully.
The real question is, will local media give her a pass on this lawsuit like they did (as well as city leaders) on the question of her residence?
At this point, given residence issues with other city leaders, there needs to be an independent investigation of the residences of elected city officials who are required by law to live in the districts they represent.
What I want to know is why SDAT head C. John Sullivan, Jr. or Comptroller Peter Franchot aren't investigating her for the apparent misuse of the Homestead credit.
Posted by: Paul | May 12, 2011 at 12:31 PM
This is truly stupid. In addition to Conaway's address/residence difficulties, somebody's giving her some mighty bad legal advice.
Posted by: smitty | May 12, 2011 at 12:54 PM