Friday Scummy: Local Leaders Behaving Badly

This week, we bring you the first in a regular (?) series titled "Officials Gone Wild," which is devoted to relaying "the crimes, errors in judgment and everyday embarrassments perpetrated by our esteemed municipal leaders." These sad stories should make you feel better, or perhaps worse, about your local leaders (especially if these people actually are your local leaders).

This week's inductees into the public official hall of shame includes the former Water Director at the Imperial Irrigation District (California) who was caught on tape abusing his stepson for not playing catch correctly; the Marietta, Georgia councilman who assaulted a fellow councilmember; and a councilwoman in Hillside, New Jersey, who's "been accused of trying to power-leverage her way out of a traffic ticket." The councilwoman from New Jersey, Metcalfe notes, "has since gone on record to say she was 'having a bad day.'"

Scumbag public officials beware, John Metcalfe is onto you.