Racine, Wisconsin Mayor Arrested on Child Porn, Solicitation of a Minor Charges

Okay, well this may mean a new frontrunner in the race for the "Stupid Mayor of the Year" award. Of course, last year, Detroit's mayor Kwami Kilpatrick was arrested for lying about an affair with his chief of staff that lead to the firing of two cops that ultimately cost the city 8 million dollars. That pretty much put him in the lead, but Racine Mayor Gary Becker might take over the tops spot after his arrest this week on charges involving child pornography and solicitation of a minor. Here's more from the Chicago Tribune:

Racine Mayor Gary Becker was freed on bond late Wednesday -- a day after his arrest on tentative charges of attempted second-degree sexual assault of a child, child enticement and possession of child pornography. Authorities said Becker also was being held on tentative charges of exposing a child to harmful materials, using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and misconduct in public office.

Racine County District Attorney Michael Nieskes said he was reviewing reports Wednesday, and any formal charges would likely be filed Thursday morning. Becker was expected to appear in court Thursday. He was held at Kenosha County Jail until he was picked up by his lawyer about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday after a relative posted the bond, which had been set at $165,000 cash. State agents arrested him at the Brookfield Square Mall in Brookfield Tuesday evening.

Racine police received a tip about two weeks ago about possible criminal activity involving Becker, Police Lt. James Dobbs said. Concerned about a possible conflict of interest, they turned the investigation over to the state Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation.