Abrams decries Navarro 'power play'

Facing assault and extortion charges against an African-American politician whom he had pressured to drop out of an election campaign, School Board member Steve Abrams lashes out at the newly elected majority.

According to the Gazette, Abrams denies School Board President Nancy Navarro's observation of a marked philosophical shift on the board, denouncing the multi-racial majority's criticism of the MCPS leadership as a "power play."

Abrams had supported an all-white school board slate in support of Superintendent Jerry Weast, and opposed the elevation of Hispanic and African-American candidates to the board.

He got into legal trouble in November after making racial taunts against a black former candidate for county council, whom he had pressured to quit the campaign so that he, Abrams, could run in his place. Abrams insists that he is not a racist, denying allegations that his alleged assault of the politician was racially motivated.