'Scandal' Star Columbus Goes Gladiator on Some Fool

Columbus Short -- who plays gladiator Harrison Wright on 'Scandal' -- was involved in a bar fight in which the other guy ended up in the hospital. The fight happened on March 15 at a engagement party in Los Angeles. The other guy made some rude comments about the actor's wife.

Evidently, he made one comment too many as Short punched him in the face. The 37-year old victim was knocked out for several minutes before being taken to the hospital.

This week the police finished their investigation and a judge issued the warrant for Short’s arrest on charges of felony aggravated battery. The reason it’s a felony is because there was serious bodily injury involved.

If he’s convicted, Short faces a sentence of four years in prison. His bond has been set at $50,000, and he has yet to turn himself in to police.

Columbus Short may discover that Kerry Washington ain't no Olivia Pope in the real world!

Perp Walk: NY State Sen. Malcolm Smith

I visited my grandfather's office on Capitol Hill back in the day. I was dressed business casual. My grandfather asked if I was coming to his office from my workplace. I said, 'Yes'. My grandfather shared a word of wisdom with me -- "...you are a Black man. Never think for a moment that you can get away with the same things that your white colleagues get away with...".

Nobody shared that memo with New York State Senator Malcolm Smith. Evidently he thought he join others in plot to rig the upcoming mayoral election in New York City through fraud and bribes. He was arrested earlier today as part of an ongoing corruption case. There were others arrested ... but, it always saddens me when a powerful Black official takes the fall.

Smith is a long-time Democrat. He got together with some other Republican politicians to form an alliance based on cash payments and fraud. Smith was trying to buy off Republican leaders because he needed the party’s support in at least three boroughs in order to run as a GOP candidate without even changing his own party affiliation.

Smith met with his alleged co-conspirators as recently as February. Now, we're in the first week of April and Smith is making that perp walk. Sad.

Perp Walk: Chad Johnson Arrested for Domestic Violence and Fired by Miami Dolphins

My 12-year old son has a poster of Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson on the wall of his room. We live in the greater Cincinnati area and Johnson was the star of the Cincinnati Bengals for most of the years of my son's life. As such, it is with sadness that I've watched this man lose his way. Instead of working on his craft ... he tried to become a reality TV star. In fact, he married a reality TV actress, Evelyn Lozada, about a month ago.

His life decisions have been disastrous. He was arrested over the weekend for domestic violence. Johnson has been accused by his wife Evelyn of head butting her during an argument that took place over the weekend. The incident allegedly occurred during a fight over condoms that Evelyn found in Chad’s car. Evelyn was reportedly seen running to a neighbor’s house to get away from Johnson and called police from a neighbor’s phone.

When Johnson was arrested, Lozada was taken to a local hospital and treated for serious cuts to her forehead.

Now Johnson is out of the NFL. The Miami Dolphins cut him from the team and cleaned out his locker less than 24 hours after his arrest. I guess those were some very expensive condoms, huh?

Johnson should become a life lesson for many self-centered folks in sports and other industries. Focus on your craft. Develop your skills. Let your work speak for itself.

I need to buy my son a new poster. The one with Chad Johnson is being tossed in the trash.

Perp Walk: House Panel Recommends Censure of Rep. Charlie Rangel

The House Ethics Committee recommended censure for Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY), the most serious punishment it can hand out short of expulsion. Rangel was found guilty of 11 ethics violations, including failing to pay taxes on rental property, failure to report personal income, and improper fund-raising.

It is a sad day for any of us that admire this 80-year old man. Much of his legacy is tarnished by this recommendation. It is a reminder to all of us that we need to check ourselves before we wreck ourselves.

Rangel Found Guilty of Violating House Ethics

I'm very disappointed in Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY). He allowed his arrogance, ego and pride to get in the way of his commonsense and ethics. As a result a House Ethics subcommittee was able to find him guilty of 11 ethics violations after a two-year investigation.


Rangel had been accused of 13 charges, including misusing rent-controlled apartments, using his office to solicit donations to an educational center and improperly filing taxes and financial statements. The committee found he had violated all but one charge; two of the counts were rolled into one in the final verdict.


The findings will be sent to the full committee, who will make a recommendation to the House regarding Rangel's punishment. The House ethics committee set a hearing for tomorrow on the appropriate punishment for Rangel, a Democrat who formerly wielded great influence as chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee.

Subcommittee chair Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) noted,

"We have tried to act with fairness, led only by the facts and the law, and I believe we have accomplished that mission."

The last time this subcommittee held a trial like this was in 2002 against Rep. James Traficant (D-OH). Traficant was eventually kicked out of the House of Representatives. Nobody thinks that 80-year old Rangel will face similiar punishment. Possible sanctions include a House vote deploring his conduct, a fine and denial of certain privileges.

Rangel didn't to himself any favors when the subcommittee met earlier this week. He walked out of the 'courtroom' when the subcommittee lawyer acting as the matter's prosecutor spent just minutes cycling through the evidence against him. After playing video clips of a speech in which the Harlem Democrat admitted wrongdoing, the lawyer, Blake Chisam, called no witnesses, an apparent testament to the strength of the case against Rangel, who openly admitted on the House floor that he broke some rules.


There are some who say that Rangel didn't do anything more than others have done before.  African Americans have always known that we cannot get away with the same things that others get away with.  We still need to operate on the premise of doing twice as much to get half as far.


Rangel is learning the hard way that nobody is above the law. It is a sad way for this old lion to end his career.

Perp Walk: Former Celtics Star Antoine Walker Faces 12 Years in Prison

Former Celtics star Antoine Walker is only 33-years old. He earned over $110 million in his 13-year NBA career. He was a NBA all-star when he played with the Boston Celtics. He was a NBA world champion when he played for Miami Heat in 2006.

Now, Walker faces 12-years behind bars because of his inability to pay $822,500 in gambling debts. County prosecutors in Las Vegas say he failed to make good on 10 checks totaling $1 million written to Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood and the Red Rock Resort. He has since paid back $178,000.

Walker filed for bankruptcy last year and he is now reportedly broke. The Toronto Star ran an article alleging that that 60 percent of NBA athletes “go broke” five years after retiring.

Antoine Walker is a cautionary tale for other African American atheletes who feel that their success between the lines gives them carte blanche to do whatever they want outside of the lines.

When will we learn?

Perp Walk Update: Larry Langford Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

I missed this story last month ... but, I thought it proper to provide closure to the Perp Walk story that we've shared with you in the past.

Former Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for his October bribery conviction.

Langford was convicted on 60 federal counts of bribery in a pay-for-play case last year. He was elected mayor in 2007 and was stripped of his office upon his conviction.

What a sad ending to a man's political career and reputation. A cautionary tale for all African Americans that acheive success and think that their shyt no longer stinks.

Perp Walk: Antwon Tanner

I remember Antwon Tanner from his role in the 2005 movie, 'Coach Carter'. I thought he was a talented actor with a good future.

His future took a detour last week when a Brooklyn judge ordered him to report to prison on April 30 to spend three months in prison for dealing in stolen Social Security numbers. He'll serve five months in home detention after he's released.

He admitted selling more than a dozen Social Security numbers for $10,000 to an undercover agent.

He described the incident as "an embarrassment" to his family and fans.

His lawyer, Gregory Watts, blamed it on "stupidity" noting that Tanner suffered financial reversals and lost a $1-million house in California to foreclosure.

Perp Walk Update: Larry Langford Convicted on Bribery and Fraud Charges

We have an update to the Perp Walk post we shared with you last year about Birmingham, Ala. mayor Larry Langford. He was convicted in federal court on 60 counts of bribery and fraud during his term on the Jefferson County Commission. The Democratic mayor faces a sentence of up to 805 years in prison. Federal prosecutors said that Langford accepted money and gifts totaling more than $230,000 from a banker in exchange for $7 million in business on county bond deals. [SOURCE]

Langford and several supporters questioned the jury’s verdict, some blaming the conviction on race.

"In Alabama, Black people will never get a fair trial," wife Melva Langford said. "There should be a total investigation of the Justice Department."

Prosecutor George Martin said calling for such an investigation was "ridiculous," and he denied that race played a role in Langford's prosecution or the trial's outcome. "It was a diverse jury. It was because of the evidence, not the jury," he said. One of Langford's attorneys, Glennon Threatt, who is Black, said he has done previous corruption cases with white defendants, and race was not a factor. The jury had both Blacks and whites on it. The case was tried in Tuscaloosa, 60 miles away, after Langford requested a change because of publicity.

Carole Smitherman, the president of the City Council, will serve as interim mayor until an election is held within three months.

Plaxico Burress Enters Hall of Shame

Michael Vick entered our Sports Hall of Shame two years ago. It appears that we can add Plaxico Burress to the list as well.

Check out this Hall of Shame:

1. Mark Bell - hockey player
2. Rae Carruth - football player
3. Maurice Clarett - football player
4. Mike Danton - hockey player
5. Doc Gooden - baseball player
6. Hollywood Henderson - football player
7. Jamal Lewis - football player
8. Denny McLain - baseball player
9. Bob Probert - hockey players
10. Pete Rose - baseball player
11. Art Schlicter - football players
12. Darryl Strawberry - baseball player
13. Mike Tyson - boxer

I feel bad for Plaxico. He didn't hurt anyone but himself ... and he appears to have picked the worst set of attorneys to battle for him in court. Anyhow, this is an open thread. Share your 'village voice' on Plaxico Burress and the guilty plea that will place him in jail for the next two years.

What say u?

Perp Walk: Jamal Anderson Arrested for Sniffing Cocaine

Someone needs to give former Atlanta Falcons running back Jamal Anderson the URL for my blog. I told all villagers that nothing good happens after 3:00 am.

Anderson didn't listen. He was arrested early Sunday morning, about 3 a.m., after an off-duty police officer witnessed him sniffing cocaine in the men’s room of a Buckhead bar. Anderson and a young 20-year old white guy were in the same stall inside the men’s room at Peachtree Tavern sniffing two lines of powdered cocaine off the toilet tank.

A tavern patron alerted an off-duty Atlanta police officer to possible illegal drug use inside the restroom.

Police said they found a 1-inch square bag of cocaine and a marijuana cigarette inside Anderson’s pocket. The men were arrested without incident and booked into the Fulton County Jail for felony possession of cocaine. Anderson was also cited for misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

During the 1998 season, Anderson rushed for a franchise-record 1,846 to help power the Falcons to their only Super Bowl appearance. He celebrated his long runs and touchdown scores by doing the “Dirty Bird” dance.

He suffered a knee injury that required surgery and only had two rushes the following season. Overall, he played eight seasons with the Falcons, from 1994 to 2001, before a second knee injury ended his career.

He worked as an NFL analyst for ESPN’s First Take this past season. It goes without saying that he'll lose the ESPN gig. I hope he has a real-estate license or some other skill that he can fall back on now that he has phuqued up his sports-television career. This isn't the first time that Anderson demonstrated loss of self-control at Atlanta night club.

What are your thoughts as you learn of this sad story?

Perp Walk: Larry Langford (Birmingham Mayor)

Did you see where the feds arrested the mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, yesterday? It turns out that Mayor Larry Langford for his part in a corruption probe surrounding a massive sewer bond debt that has forced Jefferson County to the brink of bankruptcy.

The US Attorney indicted Mayor Langford on 60 counts including bribery, conspiracy and filing false tax returns. Langford's friends involved in this scheme are investment banker William Blount and lobbyist Al LaPierre. The government said it was also seeking $7.6 million in forfeiture from the three men.

Blount’s company profited from collecting fees recommended by Langford in the sewer bond transactions.

One of the consequences from the Mayor's criminal activities is that Alabama’s Jefferson County — of which Birmingham is the main city — is fighting to stave off what would be the largest bankruptcy in U.S. municipal history over its sewer debt.

“He sold out his public office to his friends Blount and LaPierre for about $235,000 in expensive clothes, watches and cash to pay his growing personal debt. All the while, Blount was paid fees topping $7 million,” said US Attorney Alice Martin.

Ms. Martin continued, “Through a web of financing agreements Langford required many institutions to use Blount as a consultant so Blount would make fees and in turn pay off Langford. It was a classic pay-to-play scheme.”

In May the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a lawsuit accusing Langford of receiving and not disclosing a $156,000 illegal payment.

Langford sat on Jefferson’s county commission from 2002 to 2006 and was its president. He became Birmingham mayor in 2006.

Do any villagers have any thoughts on this mayor-gone-bad? When will our public leaders recognize that they are not above the law?

Perp Walk: Sharpe James

Former Newark Mayor Sharpe James is heading to jail for the next 27 months as a result of his corruption conviction regarding sales of city land to a former mistress. He was also ordered James to pay a $100,000 fine.

Federal prosecutors were seeking up to 20 years for James, but the judge last week said such a long sentence was not warranted. Lawyers for the 72-year-old former mayor sought probation for James.

He led New Jersey's largest city for 20 years and was a Democratic state senator. Instead of being a remembered as a great politician and civic leader ... he will be known for taking the 'perp walk' straight to jail.

Michael Vick Enters Hall of Shame

I imagine that any of us that manage to get caught up in the criminal injustice system are fools of one sort or another. However, any fool who is arrogant enough to create a dog-fighting company on the down-low while signing a $130 million contract in the public eye ... well that is a special kind of fool.

Michael Vick decided that the weight of the evidence against him was too much to fight. As such, he will plead guilty to the charges in the 18-page indictment laid out against him last month. He joins other high-profile atheletes who thought that their sh*t didn't stink.

Check out this Hall of Shame:

1. Mark Bell - hockey player
2. Rae Carruth - football player
3. Maurice Clarett - football player
4. Mike Danton - hockey player
5. Doc Gooden - baseball player
6. Hollywood Henderson - football player
7. Jamal Lewis - football player
8. Denny McLain - baseball player
9. Bob Probert - hockey players
10. Pete Rose - baseball player
11. Art Schlicter - football players
12. Darryl Strawberry - baseball player
13. Mike Tyson - boxer

Villagers, do you have any other athletes to add to this Hall of Shame?