(stock photo)

The grand jury began calling witnesses yesterday in the case against Mayor Sheila Dixon. The investigation is focusing on whether Dixon received pricey gifts — including vacations and fur coats — from developer Ronald Lipscomb in exchange for tax breaks and other advantages.

Dixon and Lipscomb admitted to the Sun yesterday that they had a romantic relationship in 2003 to 2004.

In her statement, Dixon said: “We were both separated from our respective spouses at the time, we traveled together and exchanged gifts on special occasions. Our brief relationship was personal, and it did not influence my decisions related to matters of city government.”

Lipscomb has been involved in the development of a number of Baltimore projects that received financial incentives from the city, including Harbor East. City code states that elected officials must report “any gift, directly or indirectly, from any person that the public servant knows … has a financial interest that might be substantially and materially affected … by the performance or nonperformance of the public servant’s official duties.”

Over the past seven years, according to the Sun, Dixon has not reported any gifts from Lipscomb.

In response to the investigation, Lipscomb’s attorney released a statement: “In Mr. Lipscomb’s entire business career he has never asked an elected official, including Ms. Dixon, to do anything for him or his businesses, but has devoted his time and effort on behalf of legacy wealth for minorities, often at great personal disadvantage.”

Prosecutors have also subpoenaed a number of companies — including AirTran, United Airlines, Amtrak, and American Express — while investigating the couple’s travel. The two visited Boston, New York, and the Bahamas together during their relationship.

One day in February 2004, Dixon voted to approve a $13.6 million tax break for one of Lipscomb’s projects, then the two caught a train to New York. Once there, Lipscomb paid for two nights at Trump International: $2,089 on his American Express.

In March 2004, Dixon also flew to Chicago on a $1,518.20 round-trip ticket paid for by Lipscomb’s company. Once there, however, it was Dixon’s wallet that got a workout. On her personal credit cards, she charged: $1,690 for her stay at the Hyatt, $4,410 at Giorgio Armani, $2,272 at St. John Boutique, $600 at Coach, and $570 at Saks Fifth Avenue for a pair of Jimmy Choos.

So this is starting to get interesting. Although we have yet to find out what was in the blue cooler, I think the credit card statements will hold me over in the meantime.

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