If he had just done the "right thing(s)" while serving the people of AACo then none of this would have happened. Sad. He was a good Exec, fiscally responsible and if none of this had happened would have had a shot at the Governorship. He cared about the citizens of his county.

I agree he definitely was a good County Executive and I am glad he chose to resign and get it over with.

Unfortunately, this politician lost focus as to what his elected official role was: to serve his constituents and not himself. One more mark against the government in Anne Arundel County and MD. Pretty sad.

He was far from a good county executive. He may have cared in the beginning but that quickly changed. As someone who voted for him, I was saddened to hear about his behavior and how he treated our county employees with his arrogance.

He was a creep and a pervert. You could tell that when he can to your door campaigning, something always not right about him. Sure he resigned, means he still gets pension

Leopold's resignation was far less likely motivated by humility than by fear of humiliation: he simply wanted to avoid facing the public consequences of the flagrant breach of his fiduciary duties to this county and its people. He should have resigned when the scandal first broke.

I wonder how many of you thought Bill Clinton was a "Creep and a Pervert"

Anyone? Anyone?

I thought not.

Leopold was convicted on two counts of misconduct for using his security detail for his personal and political benefit. According to testimony in the trial, Leopold directed them to put up campaign posters and to compile dossiers on critics and rivals.His political career spanned more than 40 years in two states. He accomplished alot during his career but when I google searched his accomplishments all I can find are a barrage of negative articles concerning his trial and subsequent resignation. Yes, his behavior was outrageous and he exercised very poor judgment but does that take away from a lifetime of public service ? Did he do the right thing in resigning ? Yes I believe so, it's time for a change, time to move on.

There's nothing altruistic about this man or his motives. By resigning he gets to keep his pension and health insurance for the rest of his life. Had he been thrown out by the County Council, they could have passed a bill to take away both.

I am wondering if he resigned to preserve his right to a pension. If he had been removed by County Council action he would have lost that right. Is the new law clear on the difference with respect to his pension rights?

I still find it incredible that this happened. The county employees are protected by a union and, all county, state and federal offices are Equal Opportunity Employers. There is an 800 number you call to report this type of bad behavior. How is it that NONE of these "victims" exercised their rights. They said they were afraid of being fired? Dues paying union members don't get fired. Why didn't the union protect them? Why didn't any of the file an EOE?? The county council needs to look into all of this, seems like something stinks all around, not just with Leopold.

He put the county through the expense of a trial and then resigned in order to preserve his pension. And while he was using county resources to engage in his activities, he was also busy gutting the school budget. Good riddance.

I liked and voted for him in the beginning, but like most politicians of both parties, the power of the office went to his head! It's a shame because overall he was a good fiscal County Executive, but lacked interpersonal skills for dealing with the dedicated county employees.

I also tend to believe that he let the power of his office go to his head, & that's so unfortunate. Especially considering all the years of service he has given to the county, to end on such a disgraceful note. His resigning was the most graceful thing he's done in a long, long time. Very sad situation for all who became tangled up in it.

Had he surrounded himself with people of integrity, he would have had boundaries. He deliberately put people like Hodgson, Robey, and others whom were willing and able to create an environment of intimidation, mistrust and corruption. I am hopeful the top cabinet members are not far behind Leopold. Remember that none of this could have really taken place without them.

He should have been fired.

Why exactly does a county executive get a special police detail anyway? If there's a pressing need (i.e., a threat of violence) that's one thing. Otherwise, you have these people at your disposal who have nothing to do all day so why wouldn't you be tempted to give them special "assignments"! That's a waste of taxpayer money that should stop immediately. Anyone else agree?

Karen, I agree. It has been stopped.