Politics

Ex-lawmaker Sentenced To Prison For Misappropriation

Published

6 years ago

January 3, 2020

A former Maryland state lawmaker was sentenced Friday to six months in prison followed by two months of home detention for misusing campaign funds for her personal benefit.

Tawanna Gaines, a Democrat who had served in the Maryland House of Delegates since 2001, also must pay $22,565 in restitution.

Gaines, 67, of Berwyn Heights, pleaded guilty in October to one count of wire fraud. She faced a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, but federal sentencing guidelines called for a range of eight to 14 months. U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang wasn´t bound by those guidelines when he sentenced Gaines, who must report to prison by Feb. 24.

Gaines told the judge that she didn’t want other public officials to be judged by her actions, according to Daily Mail.

“I took my oath very seriously, but I fell short,” she said.

The judge said the prison sentence reflects a need to deter others, particularly public officials, from engaging in “this type of corrupt behavior.” He called her crime a “lapse in judgment” in an otherwise law-abiding career.

“It may not have seemed like a big deal at the time, but it undermines our citizens’ faith in their democracy,” Chuang said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Windom has said Gaines spent campaign money on personal expenses including fast food, hair styling, dental work, a cover for her swimming pool and an Amazon Prime membership. The prosecutor, who recommended an eight-month prison sentence, said Gaines made more than 200 illegal withdrawals of money over three years, but it added up to a relatively modest amount.

“There doesn’t appear to be a reason for it,” he said. “The defendant does not lead an extravagant lifestyle.”

Gaines resigned days before she was charged in a criminal information. The Oct. 7 court filing accused Gaines of defrauding her campaign and its contributors out of more than $22,000.

(PUNCH)

Politics

Rivers: Fubara Cancelled 10,000 Jobs I Initiated For Youths – Wike Alleges

Published

6 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Editor

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State cancelling an employment process undertaken by his (Wike’s) administration which engaged 10,000 youths of the state.

Wike made this allegation on Wednesday at Ahoada main Town, during the ‘Renewed Hope Family thank you visit’ to Ahoada East Local Government Area.

He said his administration had employed 10,000 youths into different sectors of the state’s economy, but regretted that Fubara, his successor, sacked the beneficiaries.

He slammed Fubara for claiming the construction of Ahoada-Omoku and Emohua-Kalabari Road, which he said he had made 70 percent payment before handing over, describing the governor as “a bad child”.

“When I decided to dualise this Ahoada road, people thought it was impossible. But by the grace of God, today, Ahoada East, Ahoada Town, is coming back to be the city it is supposed to be. When I was a narcissist, I finished phase one of this dualisation.

“Then I flagged off phase two, which would end up in Omoku. The job was given the same day as the one of Emohua to the Kalabari area.

“I gave it to Julius Berger and we signed an agreement for Julius Berger to collect N4 billion every month from our IGR. The total amount of that road, and the one from Emohua to the Kalabari area, was about N80 something billion. So I said, if they collect four billion every month, that would give them 48 billion. That in two years time, they would have completed,” Wike said.

Politics

Amaechi: Buhari’s Administration Was Hell For Me – Wike

Published

6 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has said the administration of late President Mohammadu Buhari was like hell for him.

Wike, who addressed members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ahoada East Local Government Area, LGA of Rivers State on Wednesday, said a minister from the state tried to frustrate his government.

Wike was apparently referring to Rotimi Amaechi, who served as the Minister of Transportation during the immediate past administration.

The FCT minister said despite the moves, his administration remained focused and committed to the people of Rivers State.

He said, “When I was governor, the administration of our late President Mohammadu Buhari was hell for me.

“A minister who is from here, tried to make sure we didn’t move forward but by the grace of God, we were focused and made more impacts.

“Governance is not just about awarding contracts, it is about relating with people. Anybody can award a contract but the capacity for you to settle issues and meander when there is a problem.”

Politics

2027: Watch Out For My Anointed Candidate – Wike Tells Supporters

Published

6 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Editor

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has urged his supporters in Rivers State to watch out for his anointed candidate for the state’s governorship election in 2027.

Wike spoke on Wednesday in Ahoada East Local Government Area, LGA of Rivers State, while addressing supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

He urged the supporters to observe the movement of APC and PDP chairmen, as well as other leaders loyal to him to know his anointed candidate.

The minister appealed to the supporters to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

He said, “The other one as it relates to the State, we will come back. Watch where your council chairman is going.

“Watch where the PDP and APC chairman are going, anywhere you see them, that is where we are”.

Wike had vowed to ensure that his estranged political godson, Siminalayi Fubara, was not re-elected in 2027.