Corruption at the Yeshiva? Oy.

Although I've mentioned allegations of corruption by Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson, I've been remiss in discussing to stories accusing Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan of misusing even greater amounts of public funds to the benefit of Yeshiva of Greater Washington.

I think I've been slow for a variety of reasons. First, the Prince George's graft is much easier to understand: Jack was helping out his buddies. While the Yeshiva story isn't quite Whitewater (recall the SNL skit "Rockers to Help Explain Whitewater"), it is far less clearcut than awarding contracts to your friends. Here in Montgomery, the Duncan Administration leased out an unused public school to Yeshiva at a relatively good price on condition that they make certain upgrades to the premises--a win-win for Montgomery and Yeshiva.

However, the school system later decided it wanted the school back. In what Duncan detractors are calling a sweetheart deal (or worse, see Montgomery Slacker), Yeshiva agreed to relinquish the first school in exchange for another plus $9.9 million in "renovation costs". However, Yeshiva got to keep the full $9.9 million whether or not it spent that amount for required renovations to either the first or the second building. Yeshiva supporters gave $92,000 to Duncan's campaigns.

Second, I hate to hit a man when he is down. I thought Duncan's forthright statement of clinical depression as his reason for withdrawing from the governor's race was courageous. I am not yet ready to jump on the bandwagon of speculation that he was just desperate for a way out. After all, he could have relied on the usual blah, blah about spending time with his family, wanting to unify the party, and being down in the polls. Mental illness still definitely carries a stigma in our society. I thought it was brave of a strong and successful politician like Duncan to admit to his struggle with depression. I still do.

Third, I've liked and voted for Duncan in the past. Say it ain't so Doug!