When Corruption Becomes Comedy

I've written about a good deal of corruption among Ohio and DC republicans, but the mayor and city council of Vernon, CA. could teach all of them a thing or two. Hell, the mob could learn from these guys. From the LA Times:

Twenty-five years after its elected officials last had a contested ballot, eight strangers took up residence in the tiny city four miles south of downtown Los Angeles. Last month, after just a few days in town, three of the newcomers filed petitions to run for City Council in the April 11 election.

Within days, city utility trucks had turned off their power. The building they shared was slapped with red tags by inspectors who said the property was "unsafe and dangerous" as a residence. Strobe lights flashed through their windows. They and some of their relatives were placed under surveillance. Shortly, city police and other officials drilled holes in the locks and evicted the would-be office-seekers.

At some point, you pass outrageous and go straight to comical, this is one of those situations. Go read the rest, it actually gets worse.

Found via Kevin Drum.