Larry Young

WEST BALTIMORE SEN. Larry Young has blurred the line between his public and private roles. The situation screams "conflict of interest," but he does not see it. Instead, he views his legislative seat in Annapolis as a way to give himself "leverage," as he put it in a letter to Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller.Drawing a line between an elected official's public duties and his private activities has always been a cause for concern. This is especially true in the Maryland General Assembly, whose members are part-timers.

No matter the criticism hurled his way or the public humiliation, Larry Young has always maintained his innocence - and interest in resurrecting his political career. It seems the time for the latter may be coming. The 55-year-old former legislator and radio talk show host is strongly considering another run for the state Senate from District 44, which includes many of the city neighborhoods he represented for years, friends and supporters say. In January 1998, Young was expelled from the Senate for a string of ethics violations, including using his office to enrich his private businesses.

MEMBERS of the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics in Annapolis may have surprised even themselves in the harshness of their recommendations on state Sen. Larry Young, who they found had inappropriately mixed his private business dealings with his public duties as a state lawmaker.Senate leaders swiftly endorsed the entire committee report, making it all but inevitable that the West Baltimore lawmaker will be expelled from the Senate next week -- if he does not voluntarily give up his elected office before then.

First came the front-page headlines. Then the subpoenas. Now comes the hard part.Federal and state prosecutors examining corruption charges against former state Sen. Larry Young are reviewing thousands of documents subpoenaed by grand juries to assess whether they have enough evidence to obtain indictments and convictions.It could be months before the grand juries decide whether to indict, and months more before any criminal charges reach courtroom. But while prosecutors are working in secrecy, a road map of their investigation is beginning to emerge.

Times change, crimes change. Or at least the perception of what is honorable behavior does.Sen. Larry Young probably wouldn't be facing expulsion from the Maryland House of Delegates today had he been charged with cheating at cards.But life was different 200 years ago, in many ways. That was the last time a Maryland legislator -- Del. Robert Swailes of Montgomery County -- was expelled without being convicted of a crime.Still, the Maryland General Assembly's inclination for rising dudgeon when one of its members puts the legislative body in bad odor by nefarious behavior doesn't seem to have changed at all.Consider this resolution from the House of Delegates of 1797 with regard to Swailes' shifty activities:Whereas it is essential to the character and dignity of a representative government, that the public functionaries thereof should support a fair and unimpeached reputation.

A photo caption yesterday on Page 13A misidentified Jervis S. Finney, special counsel to the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee, who is directing the investigation of Sen. Larry Young.The Sun regrets the error.Pub Date: 1/14/98

Louis Freeh is the Republicans' best hope since Colin Powell.How about letting anyone willing to build a hotel without public money go right ahead and build it?British record keepers say 1997 is the hottest year ever, but after what the global warming conference did and didn't do, they ain't hardly seen nothing yet.Larry Young for governor?Pub Date: 12/12/97

An article yesterday erred in saying that Baltimore Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke was present at a rally for state Sen. Larry Young at Union Baptist Church. The mayor attended a portion of the rally at a nearby office building on Division Street yesterday, but did not accompany Young supporters to the church.The Sun regrets the error.Pub Date: 1/15/98

A luxury car purchased for state Sen. Larry Young by a local businessman was incorrectly referred to as a gift in headlines in The Sun yesterday. According to the businessman, the car was part of compensation to Young for work performed.The Sun regrets the error.Pub Date: 12/21/97

Louis Goldstein, a tax collector, was beloved. Why can't the IRS be more like Louie?Americans only pretend to re-enact their Civil War. Ulstermen really do re-enact theirs.Gee, Larry Young could be Baltimore's answer to New York's Rush Limbaugh.It's Willie Don's last hurrah. What if Joan Pratt beats him?Jenny Chuasiriporn for governor!Pub Date: 7/08/98