Columnist Jeff German: Kincaid-Chauncey sees the light

Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003 | 11:56 a.m.

At last, County Commission Chairwoman Mary KincaidChauncey is starting to grasp the seriousness of being charged with conspiracy, wire fraud and extortion in a federal corruption probe.

She is expected to announce today that she is stepping aside as chairwoman while she fights the federal charges.

The announcement averts a nasty public fight with her six commission colleagues, who were determined to force her to give up the leadership position.

Up to this point, though she has denied any wrongdoing, KincaidChauncey has appeared to be in denial about the ominous legal troubles that could land her behind bars.

She allegedly was caught on FBI wiretaps acknowledging taking $5,000 in cash under the table from former County Commissioner and co-defendant Lance Malone, who at the time was a lobbyist for strip club operator Michael Galardi, now a prosecution witness in the case.

"Did you get, uh, a total of five?" Malone asked in a secretly recorded telephone conversation in October 2001.

"Uh hum," Kincaid-Chauncey replied.

Today's news conference is a sign that reality is setting in for this 65-year-old flower shop owner who, prior to her indictment last week, had an impeccable political reputation.

"She's finding out what most people who are indicted learn," says Richard Wright, her seasoned lawyer. "That is you don't lose any friends. You just realize that you miscounted them." Giving up the reins of the County Commission didn't come easy for the two-term Democrat who had been vowing to stay on as chairwoman as late as last Friday.

But over the weekend, she began listening to people who have given her valuable advice over the years, such as high-powered political consultant Sig Rogich, who stressed that letting go was not only in her best interest, but in the best interests of the commission and the community.

"We just talked about the situation at hand, and she came to some significant conclusions on her own," Rogich says.

By announcing that she's stepping aside, Kincaid-Chauncey is taking the first step toward meeting headon the challenge she faces in court in the coming months.

She can continue to serve her constituents while she fights to clear her name. She just can't serve as the County Commission's leading voice and handle her usual ceremonial duties.

Under the circumstances, it's not a lot to give up.

Fading into the background actually helps Kincaid-Chauncey focus more on her criminal case, which should be the most important thing on her mind right now anyway.

It also allows the commission to lessen the distraction of her legal troubles while it conducts business.

But most of all, it sends a message to the voters that Kincaid-Chauncey finally understands that she's in serious trouble.

Today, she would probably say, "Uh hum" to that.