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Non-Profit Employee Accused Of Stealing From Carroll County Organization: State's Attorney Non-Profit Employee Accused Of Stealing From Carroll County Organization: State's Attorney
Non-Profit Employee Accused Of Stealing From Carroll County Organization: State's Attorney A Frederick woman who schemed to defraud a non-profit in Westminster where she worked has been charged, the Carroll County State's Attorney's Office announced. Randi Lynn Ryan, 48, has been arrested and charged for an alleged scam targeting the Carroll County Arts Council, Inc. over the course of nearly two years.  It is alleged that Ryan, while working as a financial coordinator for the non-profit, was issued a Bank of America credit card to use for the organization's business; however, an audit conducted in June 2023 found that Ryan was not compliant in turning over requested do…

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by Zak Failla
News
Half-Baked Convict Admits To Illegally Possessing USPS 'Arrow' Keys, Stolen Checks In MD: Feds Half-Baked Convict Admits To Illegally Possessing USPS 'Arrow' Keys, Stolen Checks In MD: Feds
Half-Baked Convict Admits To Illegally Possessing USPS 'Arrow' Keys, Stolen Checks In MD: Feds A convict from Montgomery County admitted to illegally possessing USPS “arrow keys” used to open collection boxes outside a local post office, authorities announced Monday, Feb. 5. Andrew Steven Martin, 30, of Silver Spring, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of US Postal Service keys used to access US Postal Service mail receptacles, as well as being a felon in possession of ammunition, Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland said. Martin was charged following a traffic stop that led to the discovery of a bag of marijuana in the center vehicle console and a h…

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by Daily Voice
News
Man's Brother Pretended To Be NY Mobster As Part Of $4M Embezzlement Scheme In MD/DC: Feds Man's Brother Pretended To Be NY Mobster As Part Of $4M Embezzlement Scheme In MD/DC: Feds
Man's Brother Pretended To Be NY Mobster As Part Of $4M Embezzlement Scheme In MD/DC: Feds Henry Hill immortalized the line "as far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster."  That mantra didn't work out well for a pair of brothers - one of whom pretended to be a New York mobster - to get a Maryland man to embezzle more than $4 million from his employer in Washington, DC.  New York native Corry Blue Evans, 31, has been sentenced to 41 months in prison for his role in an elaborate fraud, extortion, and money laundering scheme that involved several other close-knit co-conspirators who worked to exploit the multi-million dollar scheme. The sentence comes y…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Duplicitous Duo Assaulted Arresting Deputy During Frederick Fraud Investigation, Officials Say Duplicitous Duo Assaulted Arresting Deputy During Frederick Fraud Investigation, Officials Say
Duplicitous Duo Assaulted Arresting Deputy During Frederick Fraud Investigation, Officials Say DeWight Gilbert and Morgan Milligan did not go down quietly following an investigation into a fraud scheme that spanned several Maryland communities. The Hyattsville residents are facing a host of charges in Frederick County after allegedly assaulting an officer near an area bank on Saturday morning who tracked them down for a string of scams. At around 10:20 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25, deputies from the Frederick County Sheriff's Office responded to the Fulton Bank on Presidents Court in Frederick, where Gilbert - who was known to them for several fraudulent transactions - was spotted. Res…

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by Zak Failla
News
Former State Employee, Brother Guilty Of Profiting From Pandemic In Maryland: AG Former State Employee, Brother Guilty Of Profiting From Pandemic In Maryland: AG
Former State Employee, Brother Guilty Of Profiting From Pandemic In Maryland: AG A former state employee in Maryland who conspired with his brother to profit from the COVID-19 pandemic will have time to ponder his decisions behind bars, the Attorney's General Office announced. James DiPino, 62, and Paul DiPino, Jr., 56, were sentenced to 10 years in prison with all but one year and one day suspended after admitting to bribery charges in connection to their procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said that in the spring of 2020, right as the the pandemic was becoming a national concern, James DiPino …

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by Zak Failla
News
Dirty Cop: Baltimore County Officer Gets Prison Time For Accepting Bribes For Handgun Licenses Dirty Cop: Baltimore County Officer Gets Prison Time For Accepting Bribes For Handgun Licenses
Dirty Cop: Baltimore County Officer Gets Prison Time For Accepting Bribes For Handgun Licenses Former Baltimore County Police officer William Johnson, Jr. is set to spend time behind bars with some of the people he helped lock up. Federal officials announced that the Baltimore native has been sentenced to 18 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, after he admitted to accepting thousands of dollars worth of bribes and kickbacks in exchange for handgun qualifying licenses they never earned. The 34-year-old pleaded guilty in April to a federal charge of honest services wire fraud for falsely certifying applicants for Maryland handgun qualifying licenses and …

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by Zak Failla
News
Former School DOT Employees In MD Admit To Role In $320K Theft Scheme: State's Attorney Former School DOT Employees In MD Admit To Role In $320K Theft Scheme: State's Attorney
Former School DOT Employees In MD Admit To Role In $320K Theft Scheme: State's Attorney The former Director of the Montgomery County Public Schools Department of Transportation (DOT) has copped to his role in a scheme that allowed another top official to steam hundreds of thousands of dollars. Todd Michael Watkins, 56, of Jefferson, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of misconduct in office for conspiring with Charles Ewald, the former Assistant Director of the DOT, the Montgomery County State’s Attorney announced on Friday, June 30. Prosecutors say that Watkins assumed his position in 2009, and beginning in 2016 and through September 2021, he failed to properly manage the…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Maryland State Police Caution About Fraudsters Posing As Officers Maryland State Police Caution About Fraudsters Posing As Officers
Maryland State Police Caution About Fraudsters Posing As Officers Maryland residents are being advised to be on high alert following a recent rash of fraudsters posing as police. An alert was issued by Maryland State Police over the weekend warning residents to be aware of possible phone scam fraud attempts by police impersonators. Officials say that they've received multiple reports from several residents throughout the state who advised that they'd been contacted by people claiming to be either state troopers or police officers in an attempt to scam victims out of cash or personal information. According to police, the poser tells possible victims that …

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by Zak Failla
News
'Most Evil We Have Seen:' MD Man In 'Financial Despair' Gets Max Sentence For Murdering Boss 'Most Evil We Have Seen:' MD Man In 'Financial Despair' Gets Max Sentence For Murdering Boss
'Most Evil We Have Seen:' MD Man In 'Financial Despair' Gets Max Sentence For Murdering Boss The schemer in Maryland who went through elaborate measures to plot and kill his boss after he was fired will never see the light of day after being sentenced on Monday, Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy announced. Billy Phillips, 38, of Rockville, was sentenced to life in prison, plus 65 years after admitting to killing his boss, Bethesda resident Geoffrey Biddle, 66, nearly two years ago, according to officials on Monday, May 1. "For a period of time, Biddle trusted Phillips to work for his company, and he abused that trust by using what he learned during his employment to …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Former Official Gets Prison Time For Abusing Power, Stalking Exes In Baltimore Former Official Gets Prison Time For Abusing Power, Stalking Exes In Baltimore
Former Official Gets Prison Time For Abusing Power, Stalking Exes In Baltimore Embattled former Baltimore City Assistant State’s Attorney Adam Lane Chaudry will spend time behind bars with some of the people he helped put away for stalking former paramours and their friends, federal authorities announced. Chaudry, 43, was sentenced this week to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after he pleaded guilty late last year to two counts of fraud in connection with obtaining confidential phone records. Between June 2009 and June 18, 2021, prosecutors say that Chaudry caused three grand jury subpoenas to be sent to a telecommunications…

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by Zak Failla
News
MD Sheriff Pleads Not Guilty To Machine Gun Scheme, Replacement Named MD Sheriff Pleads Not Guilty To Machine Gun Scheme, Replacement Named
MD Sheriff Pleads Not Guilty To Machine Gun Scheme, Replacement Named Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins has pleaded not guilty to all counts after being embroiled in a machine gun purchasing scheme, though he ha agreed to step down and a replacement has been named. Jenkins, 66, a Thurmont resident, was arraigned this week and pleaded not guilty after being accused last week by a federal grand jury indictment for an alleged years-long scheme to import machine guns into the county with Machine Gun Nest owner Justin Krop. Initially, Jenkins had planned to remain active in office as the legal proceedings played out, but on Wednesday, April 12, after his arr…

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by Zak Failla
News
Manhunt For Former Top Hogan Aide In MD Hits Week Three; $20K Reward Offered By Feds Manhunt For Former Top Hogan Aide In MD Hits Week Three; $20K Reward Offered By Feds
Manhunt For Former Top Hogan Aide In MD Hits Week Three; $20K Reward Offered By Feds Weeks after he skipped out on a scheduled fraud trial, federal officials are offering a $20,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of Gov. Larry Hogan's former Chief of Staff Roy McGrath.  A manhunt is underway by the US Marshals Services and other law enforcement agencies as they attempt to locate McGrath, 53, the former governor’s top aide, after he failed to make a scheduled court appearance on Monday, March 13. @USMSBaltimore has initiated an interstate fugitive investigation. It is now seeking to apprehend the former Maryland governor’s top aide after he failed to appe…

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by Zak Failla
News
Manhunt Launched For Former Top Hogan Aide Who Skipped Federal Fraud Trial In Maryland Manhunt Launched For Former Top Hogan Aide Who Skipped Federal Fraud Trial In Maryland
Manhunt Launched For Former Top Hogan Aide Who Skipped Federal Fraud Trial In Maryland The search is on for one of former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s top lieutenants who is on the lam after he failed to make a scheduled court appearance for fraud and theft charges this week. A manhunt is underway by the US Marshals Services and other law enforcement agencies as they attempt to locate Roy McGrath, 53, the former governor’s top aide, after he failed to make a scheduled court appearance on Monday, March 13. @USMSBaltimore has initiated an interstate fugitive investigation. It is now seeking to apprehend the former Maryland governor’s top aide after he failed to appear in cou…

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by Zak Failla
News
Disgraced Former Baltimore City Assistant State's Attorney Ordered Disbarred: Report Disgraced Former Baltimore City Assistant State's Attorney Ordered Disbarred: Report
Disgraced Former Baltimore City Assistant State's Attorney Ordered Disbarred: Report Embattled former Baltimore City Assistant State’s Attorney Adam Lane Chaudry has reportedly been disbarred as he faces years in prison for using his power to stalk two former romantic partners. Chaudry, 43, pleaded guilty in December to two counts of fraud in connection with obtaining confidential phone records, admitting that he committed the crime knowing the information could be used in furtherance and with the intent to commit stalking. This week, the Supreme Court of Maryland ordered that Chaudry be disbarred, saying that he “engaged in misconduct that violates the Maryland Attorn…

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by Zak Failla
News
Former Baltimore City Assistant State's Attorney Admits To Obtaining Phone Records, Stalking Ex Former Baltimore City Assistant State's Attorney Admits To Obtaining Phone Records, Stalking Ex
Former Baltimore City Assistant State's Attorney Admits To Obtaining Phone Records, Stalking Ex Former Baltimore City Assistant State's Attorney Adam Lane Chaudry has reached a plea agreement admitting that he obtained confidential phone records to stalk two romantic partners, federal officials announced. Chaudry, 43, pleaded guilty on Friday, Dec. 9 to two counts of fraud in connection with obtaining confidential phone records, admitting that he committed the crime knowing the information could be used in furtherance and with the intent to commit stalking. Between June 2009 and June 18, 2021, prosecutors say that Chaudry caused three grand jury subpoenas to be sent to a telecommunica…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Former Baltimore Prosecutor Who Abused Power To Stalk Ex-Partners Faces Federal Charges Former Baltimore Prosecutor Who Abused Power To Stalk Ex-Partners Faces Federal Charges
Former Baltimore Prosecutor Who Abused Power To Stalk Ex-Partners Faces Federal Charges A former Baltimore City Assistant State's Attorney has been indicted on federal charges for unlawfully obtaining phone records, authorities announce. Adam Lane Chaudry, 43, has been charged with 10 counts of fraud in connection with obtaining confidential phone records after an indictment alleged that Chaudry committed the crime knowing that information may be used in the intent to commit stalking, according to the Department of Justice. From June 2009 to June 18, 2021, Chaudry worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office. From September 2015 …

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by Annie DeVoe
News
Maryland Men Convicted Of Running $13M Money Laundering Scheme Maryland Men Convicted Of Running $13M Money Laundering Scheme
Maryland Men Convicted Of Running $13M Money Laundering Scheme Two Maryland men have been convicted after running a $13 million business email compromise scheme, authorities say. Onyewuchi Victor Ibeh, 33, of Mitchellville, and Jason Eugene Joyner, 42, of Hyattsville, participated in the scheme to launder proceeds by infiltrating computer systems of victim companies through phishing and malware attacks, according to the Department of Justice. Once the pair would gain access to the accounts, prosecutors said they would pose as the victim's business partner and claim the bank account information has changed so the victim business sends money to accounts …

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by Annie DeVoe
Police & Fire
Police Ask For Help Identifying Suspects In Rockville Theft Police Ask For Help Identifying Suspects In Rockville Theft
Police Ask For Help Identifying Suspects In Rockville Theft Police are asking for the public's help identifying two suspects connected to an auto theft and fraud incident from Rockville that happened in June, authorities say. Surveillance footage has been released of the suspects who allegedly stole the parked vehicle from a parking lot near OneLife Fitness on Research Boulevard, Thursday, June 2, according to Montgomery County police. Multiple credit cards that were in the vehicle at the time were also stolen and then used to make fraudulent purchases in several Virginia stores.  Anyone with information about these crimes or suspects involved…

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by Annie DeVoe
News
Thrifty Furniture Sellers Settle In Frederick County For Shifty Scam Thrifty Furniture Sellers Settle In Frederick County For Shifty Scam
Thrifty Furniture Sellers Settle In Frederick County For Shifty Scam Several business owners in Maryland will face no further prosecution after reaching an agreement to refund payments for work that was unfulfilled or failed to match expectations, the Attorney General's Office announced. The AG’s Consumer Protection Division has reached a settlement of the civil charges against Christopher Engel, Karol Engel, Matthew Dihel, MOCHA Furniture Limited Liability Company, Urbana custom décor Limited Liability Company, and Farmstead Custom Furniture LLC in Frederick County, according to AG Brian Frosh. Frosh said the group was "collectively charged with v…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Wanted Man In Maryland Facing Drug Charges After Providing Phony Name: Sheriff Wanted Man In Maryland Facing Drug Charges After Providing Phony Name: Sheriff
Wanted Man In Maryland Facing Drug Charges After Providing Phony Name: Sheriff A wanted man tried to pull a fast one over on sheriff’s deputies in Maryland by providing a false name to investigators before being ultimately apprehended in Culvert County. David Tyrone Patterson, 42, of Greensboro, is facing drug and fraud charges after being busted with heroin and paraphernalia after providing investigators with a phony ID, the sheriff’s office announced on Wednesday, June 29. Deputies responded to the 500 block of Fox Run Boulevard in Prince Frederick to conduct a welfare check on Patterson, according to a spokesperson from the sheriff's office. Upon arrival, investi…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Suspects Wanted For Separate Credit Card Theft, Fraud Incidents In Maryland Suspects Wanted For Separate Credit Card Theft, Fraud Incidents In Maryland
Suspects Wanted For Separate Credit Card Theft, Fraud Incidents In Maryland Law enforcement agencies in Maryland are seeking the public’s assistance in locating two pairs of suspects who allegedly fraudulently used stolen credit cards in separate incidents in Harford County. An alert was issued by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, June 24, as they attempt to track down the four suspects who are wanted on fraud and theft charges. These two wanted suspects used a stolen credit cards to purchase gift cards at the Fallston Walmart.Harford County Sheriff's Office First, between 5:37 p.m. and 5:53 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, two women (pictured above) pu…

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by Zak Failla
News
$6.8M COVID-19 Scam: Ex-Hedge Fund Manager Gets 4+ Years, No Parole $6.8M COVID-19 Scam: Ex-Hedge Fund Manager Gets 4+ Years, No Parole
$6.8M Covid-19 Scam: Ex-Hedge Fund Manager Gets 4+ Years, No Parole A dual New York/Florida resident was sentenced in New Jersey to a plea-bargained 51 months in federal prison for fraudulently collecting more than $6.8 million in COVID-19 payroll protection loans -- $3 million of which he lost in the stock market. Gregory J. Blotnick, 35, will have to serve just about all of the sentence because there's no parole in the federal prison system. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti sentenced Blotnick in Newark to two years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $4,577,631. Blotnick told the judge last f…

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by Jerry DeMarco