As Father’s Day approaches, it’s hard for me to overlook the shameful parade of sons of celebrated leaders in our area who are in jail or on the way to jail for confessed crimes such as bribery, embezzlement and just plain thievery. Their crimes go beyond mere law breaking. The sons dishonored a legacy of public service that their fathers helped build to break down barriers to economic and political progress for African Americans.
The latest inductees to the Political Hall of Shame: Former D.C. Council member Michael A. Brown, who just this week pleaded guilty to accepting $55,000 in illegal funds, some stuffed in a Redskins coffee mug. Former congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., who is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to embezzling $750,000 from his campaign funds to purchase such items as a Rolex watch, furs and a fedora owned by Michael Jackson. And then there’s former D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr., who is serving time after admitting he stole $355,000 in city money that could have gone to make a difference in the lives of city youths.
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