Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon was convicted today of buying $500 of electronics for herself using gift cards intended for the city's poor children.

She was found guilty on a misdemeanor charge of fraudulent misappropriation that could force her from office. The jury cleared her of three felony counts.

Under Maryland law, Dixon, 55, can serve until she is sentenced. A date has not been set.

She still has other legal troubles. She faces a March 1 trial on perjury charges for allegedly not reporting gifts from a married developer with whom she had an affair, including $4,000 she allegedly used to pay her American Express bill.

The Baltimore Sun and New York Times have details.

(Posted by Michael Winter)