Mayor Kevin Johnson, a former NBA star, was a leading voice in the cry against the racist remarks by LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling. But the Sacramento mayor's criticism may now fall on deaf ears as he is now facing allegations of financial and sexual misconduct following an investigation of His Honor.
According to a report released on Deadspin last week Mayor Johnson's moral compass may not point to true north. An investigation conducted by Gerald Walpin revealed some skeletons in Johnson's past, including allegedly misappropriating funds from charter school St. HOPE of which he was CEO (via New York Daily News):
"When Walpin sent his referral to the U.S. Attorney's office, he indicated Johnson and Gonzalez had misused over $845,000 in federal funds. But the Justice Department later reached a settlement with St. HOPE in which Johnson's organization agreed to repay half ($423,836.50) of the AmeriCorps grant funds it had received."
The report also alleged sexual misconduct by Johnson:
"Walpin's 58-page referral, which accompanied his letter to the U.S. Attorney's office, also leveled allegations of 'improper sexual physical contact' by Johnson with at least three females, two of whom worked with St. HOPE and one who worked for AmeriCorps."
Full disclosure: Walpin is a conservative, and despite claims of no political agenda it can be hard to separate facts from politically motivated spin, one way or another (via Slate):
"Again, it's a complicated story-for one, Johnson is an up-and-coming Democrat and the investigator who looked into St. HOPE was a conservative who would later squabble with Obama appointees."
Context and intent aside, the sentiment Mayor Johnson intimated regarding the Donald Sterling situation still rings true.
Racial prejudice has no place in this country or in its industry. Basketball would do well to be rid of any individuals who practice hateful racial politics and sentiments.
What do you think? Should Johnson's investigation affect the Sterling proceedings?
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