He Enlisted The Help Of A Police Helicopter, Boats, In An Elaborate Ruse

We suppose it could be called a case of just not thinking everything through. Maryland Delegate Jon Cardin and his (now) fiancee were on board a boat with friends August 7th when it was boarded by Baltimore Harbor Police. A police helicopter flew overhead, and the officers said they were searching for "contraband" an board the vessel. In the midst of the melee, Cardin proposed to his bride to be.

Cardin now admits to dreaming up the scenario with his friends, and enlisting the help of the Baltimore Police Department for the distraction. He has since paid $300 to the police department for the stunt, as well as making a contribution in an undisclosed amount to the city's 121-year-old mounted police unit, which has been threatened by budget problems.

The Associated Press reports that Cardin said he "should have been sensitive enough to realize that these are extraordinarily difficult times in Baltimore, both financially and from a public safety perspective."  He said he takes full responsibility for the stunt, and hopes the police officers involved will not be blamed. Baltimore police are conducting an internal investigation.

The helicopter reportedly was on a routine patrol over Baltimore Harbor, but the $300 Cardin paid was calculated to include the salaries for the officers involved in the 13 minute stunt, as well as fuel for the aircraft.

Delegate John Cardin

He also apologized to his fiance, Megan Homer of Rockville, MD. "I hope that my fiancee will be able to forgive the fact that I brought this unexpected and undesired public attention to what should have been a special moment in our lives," Cardin wrote on his website.

She did accept the proposal.

FMI: www.joncardin.com