Marilyn Mosby, the former State’s Attorney for Baltimore, was found guilty on November 9, 2023, of two counts of perjury by a federal jury in Greenbelt, Maryland. The jury's decision followed approximately six hours of deliberation.
The charges stemmed from accusations that Mosby falsely claimed financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic to access her retirement funds. Prosecutors argued that she misrepresented her situation to withdraw money from her city retirement account under the provisions of the CARES Act, which was designed to provide relief during the economic downturn caused by the health crisis.
Specifically, Mosby withdrew $40,000 in May 2020 and $50,000 in December 2020, which she subsequently used to purchase two luxury vacation properties in Florida. Prosecutors contended that these purchases contradicted her claims of financial distress.
Perjury charges can carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison, although such maximum sentences are not commonly imposed. A sentencing date for Mosby has yet to be scheduled.
Her trial is part of a broader legal battle that began with her indictment in January 2022, just as she was campaigning for reelection. In addition to the perjury counts, Mosby also faces charges of mortgage fraud, which will be addressed in a future trial.
During the trial, Mosby’s defense centered on her involvement in a travel business that she claimed was adversely affected by the pandemic. However, prosecutors argued that the business never truly operated and that her financial claims were unfounded.
As she left the courthouse, Mosby expressed a sense of being “blessed” but did not elaborate further on the verdict. The outcome marks a significant shift in the career of a figure who once held a prominent position in Baltimore's legal landscape.
Reported by HarborBeat based on Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (source).
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