jaw-dropping factoid of the day

from today's NYT:

The police filed criminal charges against Mayor Larry O’Brien of Ottawa. Mr. O’Brien, a multimillionaire, is accused of offering an opponent cash and help with a federal appointment if he dropped out of the 2006 election. Legal scholars said Mr. O’Brien appeared to be the first mayor in modern Canadian history to face criminal charges related to his office.

am i the only one to find this to be utterly amazing? i guess i just take rampant urban corruption for granted after living in chicago and philadelphia.