A federal jury in Maryland found the former Baltimore State's Attorney, Marilyn Mosby, guilty of two counts of perjury. According to a statement from the Department of Justice (DOJ), Mosby presented false evidence to claim that she was suffering "financial hardship" around the time of the pandemic. Thanks to this, she received federal funds intended to help those affected by covid-19:
A federal jury today convicted Marilyn J. Mosby, 42, of Baltimore, Maryland, on federal perjury charges related to the withdrawal of funds from the City of Baltimore's Deferred Compensation Plan, alleging that she suffered adverse financial consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic when she was Baltimore City State's Attorney.
United States Department of Justice by Veronica Silveri on Scribd
Sentencing U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron said: "We respect the jury's verdict and remain firmly committed to our mission to uphold the rule of law, keep our country safe, and protect the civil rights of all Americans and safeguard public property."
He received between $40,000 and $50,000.
The DOJ revealed that Mosby submitted - between May and December 2020 - "coronavirus-related 457(b) distribution requests" for one-time withdrawals of $40,000 and $50,000 respectively, from the City of Baltimore Deferred Compensation" and "by signing the forms, affirmed under penalty of perjury the statements and acknowledgments made in this application":
Mosby falsely certified that she met at least one of the requirements for a distribution as defined in the CARES Act specifically, that she experienced adverse financial consequences from the coronavirus as a result of being quarantined, furloughed, or laid off; have reduced the working day; not being able to work due to lack of child care; and the closure or reduction of hours of a business she owned or operated.
However, the former prosecutor "experienced no such financial difficulties and, in fact, received her full gross salary of $247,955.58 from January 1, 2020 to December 29, 2020, in biweekly direct deposits of her gross pay of $9,183, 54."
Mosby, who on each count could be sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison, did not testify during the trial.
Two more charges for making false mortgage applications
Mosby - in another open federal case, awaiting trial - also faces two charges related to making false mortgage applications for the purchase of two homes in Florida. If convicted, she could face a sentence of 30 years in prison.
