MARYLAND NEWS

Defendants Allegedly Presented Themselves as Pastors and Targeted Churchgoers; Promised Investments in Foreign Currency and Cryptocurrency; Spent Investor Funds on Lavish Lifestyles. Source: US Attorney, District of Maryland

An Elkton, MD., man, a former Baltimore Department of Public Works (“DPW”) supervisor pleaded guilty on August 27, 2020, to the federal charge of extortion under color of official right for misuse of his authority as a public employee. Source: US Attorney, District of Maryland

The settlement stems from an investigation led by an 11-state executive committee that included Maryland, and a total of 48 state and territory attorneys general. The states alleged that Honda’s actions and failures to act, as well as its misrepresentations about the safety of its vehicles, were unfair and deceptive, and that Honda’s conduct violated state consumer protection laws. Source: Maryland Attorney General

Businesses in Maryland have been receiving a letter entitled “2020 Certificate of Good Standing Request Form” that requests a fee in exchange for a letter of good standing with an “official seal of the Secretary of State.” This letter is a SCAM...Some business entities in Maryland are required to have a certificate of good standing, but not from the Secretary of State. An official certificate of good standing is available from the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation websitefor a nominal fee. Source: Maryland Attorney General

Some unemployed workers whose Maryland unemployment benefits were taken away due to an identity theft investigation still have not had their money restored, one month after the probe was made public.Source: Baltimore Sun

He allegedly used funds, in part, to purchase a $300,000 yacht, a $1.13 million rowhouse, and a $46,000 luxury sports sedan...One indictment, unsealed ...charges the man with offenses including mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering for perpetrating a separate scheme that defrauded the Archdiocese over $472,000. According to the 12-count indictment, he was employed as an Assistant Superintendent of the Archdiocese, headquartered in Hyattsville, Maryland. Source: U.S. Attorney, District of Columbia 

Maryland will receive more than $4.4 million to resolve allegations that Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Novartis) paid kickbacks to health care practitioners in the form of cash, meals, entertainment, and honoraria payments to induce them to prescribe various medications that treat hypertension or Type 2 Diabetes. “This is not the first time a pharmaceutical company has paid kickbacks to doctors,. This settlement should be a clear message to drug manufacturers. We are watching, and we will pursue those who attempt to defraud our state,” said Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh...Novartis admitted to aspects of the scheme in a stipulation filed in federal court in connection with the settlement...Under the settlement, Novartis agreed to pay $678 million to the United States, Maryland, 26 other states, and the District of Columbia, $103 million of which resolves claims pertaining to state Medicaid programs. Maryland’s $4.4 million share of the settlement resolves claims relating specifically to Maryland’s Medicaid program.  Source: Maryland Attorney General

Orchestrated the Straw Purchase of a Foreclosed Property for Her Own Benefit, Causing a Loss to the Bank of Approximately $145,000; Made False Statements to Bank Regulators Inquiring About Foreclosed Property. Source: US Attorney District of Maryland

A former state lawmaker who helped create Maryland’s medical marijuana industry was sentenced on Wednesday to two years in prison for taking bribes for legislative favors, including votes to benefit a medical marijuana company...Cheryl Glenn, a Democrat who represented parts of Baltimore as a state delegate, told U.S. District Judge Catherine Blake that she is “profoundly remorseful” and hopes other public officials can learn from her mistakes. Source: Washington Times

The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System has received $405,208.53 in restitution from Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS).addition, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office received $296,000 as payment for its work on the related investigation into fraudulent conduct by major banks involving the manipulation of the LIBOR (The London Interbank Offered Rate) benchmark interest rate.Source: Maryland Attorney General