Three months after former Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill’s conviction for corruption, the sweeping FBI investigation has claimed another prominent victim: longtime state representative Terri Hodge. Charged with taking money from developers in exchange for helping them get lucrative tax credits, Hodge pleaded guilty to a lesser count of income tax fraud.
While it may be difficult to resist the temptation to situate her story within the all-too-familiar framework of political scandal, it’s worth remembering that, for many in District 100, Terri Hodge was a well-regarded representative for one of the most economically and socially stressed districts in the city.
“We voted for her, and campaigned for her,” said District 100 resident Mary Malone, “and I guess if there’s a good side and a bad side, the good side is what we all knew about.”
Malone, a district resident for four decades and president of the Las Casas Neighborhood Association, paints a picture of a concerned, active state rep who attended neighborhood barbecues, fussed over her constituents’ needs, and even saw to it that Malone’s dog was awarded a commendation for his involvement in foiling a burglary.
“It was little things like that that touched your heart,” said Malone. “It was the caring that we knew about Terri Hodge.”
