Tag Archives: Baltimore

Former Baltimore Mayor Pleads Guilty

These articles are a straightforward overview of the current status of the case against Catherine Pugh. Pugh pled guilty to two types of fraud, or conspiracy to commit fraud, and to counts of tax evasion regarding her self-published children's book, Healthy Holly. The counts of tax evasion included sweeping allegations against Pugh. Two associates of Pugh also pleaded guilty to similar charges. This is the latest in a series of problems for Baltimore. The Baltimore Sun article goes out of its way to point out their paper's significant role in the story, and Huffington Post shares a number of related facts meant for a less familiar audience – including other recent scandals in Baltimore.
Common Facts
Content (6)
The Bal.
Huf. Pos.
Pugh pleaded guilty on Thursday to conspiracy and tax evasion charges
This was a public acknowledgment of "wrongdoing involving her 'Healthy Holly' book deals"
Pugh pleaded guilty to the following charges on Thursday:
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
Conspiracy to defraud the United States
An 11-count indictment was unsealed on Wednesday
Definitions (8)
Pugh: Catherine Pugh is the former Democrat Mayor of Baltimore
Hur: Robert K. Hur is a Maryland U.S. Attorney
Chasanow: Deborah K. Chasanow was the presiding U.S. District Judge
Coates: Paul Coates is a longtime friend of Pugh and father of author Ta-Nehisi Coates
Silverman: Steven Silverman is Pugh's lawyer
Dixon: Sheila Dixon is a former mayor of Baltimore
Brown: Gary Brown, Jr. is an associate of Pugh indicted separately
Wedington: Roslyn Wedington is an associate of Pugh indicted separately
Review Info (3)
First Published: 11/22/2019 12:07:38 am
Last Updated: 11/22/2019 01:10:16 am
Content (17)
The acknowledgment is the first since the Baltimore Sun began exposing the wrongdoing in March
Hur said the suggested sentence is around five years of prison
The judge hearing the case is not bound to that agreement
Sentencing is scheduled for February 27th
The indictment alleged that her self-publishing enterprise was a criminal racket
The guilty plea came more than eight months after the Sun publicly exposed the misdoing and FBI raids on Pugh's homes and City Hall
The guilty plea is on a narrower set of charges than laid out in the indictment
Pugh confirmed she understood the allegations against her while standing before Chasanow
Pugh confirmed she understood the potential to spend years behind bars as well
Pugh spoke softly and only said a few words in court
Pugh surrendered her passport under terms that allowed her to go free pending sentencing
Silverman said in a statement after the hearing: "This has been a challenging process for [Pugh]", "After careful consideration of the charges brought against her, Ms. Pugh has decided to forego a long trial. Such a trial would drain essential government resources and cause further distraction from the serious issues our region faces. Ms. Pugh sincerely apologizes to all of those that she let down, most especially the citizens of Baltimore whom she had the honor to serve in multiple capacities for decades."
Two counts of tax evasion
"The counts include the sweeping allegations against Pugh in the initial indictment — that she knowingly sought to defraud purchasers of her books, reap the financial and political benefits, and pay little or no taxes on the windfall"
"Under the plea deal, prosecutors will not pursue seven counts of wire fraud against Pugh"
Pugh is 69 years old
Coates walked with Pugh
Opinion (1)
"…The Sun's revelations … torpedoed her political career and forced her from office."
Article Info (4)
Date Published: 11/21/2019 03:29:00 pm
Date Accessed: 11/21/2019 06:42:00 pm
Article Author: Luke Broadwater, Kevin Rector
Content (11)
Pugh pleaded guilty to tax evasion
Pugh pleaded not guilty to wire fraud on Thursday
The case involves sales of her self-published “Healthy Holly” books to non-profits and foundations to promote her political career and fund her run for mayor.
Pugh was elected in 2016
Pugh resigned in May 2019
A federal grand jury indictment returned on Nov. 14th charged two associates of Pugh: Gary Brown, Jr., and Roslyn Wedington
Both Brown and Wedington also pleaded guilty to conspiracy and tax fraud
Pugh became Baltimore’s second mayor in less than a decade to step down because of scandal.
Dixon left office in 2010 as part of a plea deal for misappropriating about $500 in gift cards meant for needy families
Meanwhile, Baltimore has struggled with violent crime, other cases of public corruption, and a major police scandal
Baltimore has had more than 300 homicides for five years running
Article Info (4)
Date Published: 11/21/2019 02:21:00 pm
Date Accessed: 11/21/2019 07:16:00 pm
Article Author: Brian Witte, Regina Garcia Cano