Maryland

Maryland Mortgage Broker Sentenced 10 More Years For His Mortgage Fraud Scheme

February 11, 2005 -- Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today the conviction and sentencing of Michael Dudley Leppert, 42, a former resident of Baltimore County and Baltimore City, for felony theft. Leppert’s theft involved a mortgage refinancing scheme that defrauded 11 property owners of $97,775.    » read more »

Executive Director Of Maryland Non-Profit Convicted Of Fraud

February 4, 2005 -- Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today the conviction of Linda P. Lively, of 23681 Newtown Rd., Worton, Maryland, the former Executive Director of On Our Own of Cecil County, Inc., a nonprofit organization that benefits the mentally disabled.    » read more »

Balitmore Mayor Martin O'Malley and Mayor Williams Establish a We are the Future Partnership with West Africa

February 3, 2005 -- BALTIMORE, MD - Mayor Martin O'Malley and Mayor Anthony A. Williams of Washington, DC, were joined by Glocal Forum, His Excellency Ibrahim M. Kamara, Ambassador of the Republic Sierra Leone to the United States and Dr. Bonnie S. Copeland, CEO, Baltimore City Public Schools, today to officially announce the We Are the Future partnership between Baltimore, Maryland and Freetown, Sierra Leone and Washington, D.C. and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.    » read more »

Consumer Alert: Don’t Pay To Borrow Your Own Money – Rapid Tax Loans Expensive, Unnecessary

February 3, 2005 -- Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. warned consumers that “rapid refunds” offered by tax preparation services are really loans that consume an exorbitant amount of the consumer’s refund.    » read more »

Former Maryland Jury Commissioner Sentenced To 18 Months Imprisonment For Stealing $143,000

February 2, 2005 -- Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today the sentencing of Gay E. Hommel, 41, of Riverside Drive in Salisbury, for stealing over $143,000 from the Wicomico County Circuit Court while she served as its Jury Commissioner. Hommel was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment, with all but 18 months suspended by the Honorable J. Owen Wise, specially sitting in the Wicomico County Circuit Court.    » read more »

Governor Ehrlich Submits FY 06 Capital Budget Proposal; Emphasis on School Construction, Higher Education, Chesapeake Bay

January 26, 2005 -- Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., today submitted his Fiscal Year 2006 Capital Budget of $947.5 million, emphasizing education through $157.4 million for school construction and health and the environment through $139 million dedicated to restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay.    » read more »

Baltimore Mayor O'Malley Testifies Before Senate Budget and Taxation on the Impact of of State Budget on Local Governments

January 26, 2005 -- BALTIMORE, MD - Mayor Martin O'Malley today offered testimony before the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee on the impact of the State budget on local governments.    » read more »

Maryland Governor Ehrlich Announces Witness Intimidation Initiative

Governor’s Plan Gives Prosecutors Same Powers as U.S. Attorneys

January 25, 2005 -- ANNAPOLIS – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today formally announced his witness intimidation legislation, a comprehensive plan to crack down on violent thugs who intimidate citizens who witnessed a crime. Law abiding citizens have been killed or intimidated into silence in Maryland by brazen drug dealers and gang leaders who roam the streets enforcing their “Stop Snitching” code.    » read more »

Flu Vaccination Restrictions Are Lifted in Maryland

It Is Not Too Late For Preventive Measures

January 25, 2005 -- ANNAPOLIS – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today announced that all influenza vaccination restrictions in Maryland have been lifted. Current surveys show vaccine supplies in Maryland are adequate to now offer preventive doses to those who had deferred to Maryland's high-risk individuals.    » read more »

Statement of Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley In Support of SB188 Witness Intimidation Bill

January 25, 2005 -- BALTIMORE, MD - Mayor O'Malley released the following statement today in support Senate Bill 188 for the purpose of prohibiting a person from harming another, threatening to harm another, or damaging or destroying property with the intent to induce a victim or witness not to report the existence of facts relating to a crime or delinquent act; and allowing for an imprisonment term not exceeding 20 years for individuals convicted of victim and witness intimidation.    » read more »

Maryland Governor Ehrlich Unveils Children’s Initiative

Foster Care, Child Welfare, Day Care Training Academy Important Priorities

January 24, 2005 -- ANNAPOLIS – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., today highlighted his 2005 Children’s Initiative to improve quality of life for children across Maryland. The Governor’s initiative will improve an array of government services to ensure that Maryland’s most vulnerable children receive the care they need to succeed in life.    » read more »

MDE Emergency Regulations to Cover MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) and Other Petroleum Products

Regulations Would Require Frequent Testing, Double-Walled Pipes for Underground Tanks

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 18, 2005) -- Maryland Secretary of the Environment Kendl P. Philbrick today requested support for proposed emergency regulations to prevent MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) and other petroleum products from reaching groundwater supplies in certain parts of Maryland. The regulations will require, among other things, more frequent testing for vapors as well as liquid leaks and rigorous safeguards against leaks.    » read more »

Talbot County, Maryland Plant Helps in Chesapeake Bay Restoration Effort

Bay Restoration Fund, State Grants and Loans will be used to upgrade the Region II Facility

ST. MICHAELS, MD (January 21, 2005) – The steady march toward a cleaner Chesapeake Bay continued today as Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., key cabinet secretaries, state and local elected officials, and members of the business community and watermen witnessed the signing of a cooperative agreement to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant serving St. Michaels and surrounding areas in Talbot County.    » read more »

Governor Ehrlich Submits $25.9 Billion Budget

Governor Submits All-Time Record Increase in Education, Increases School Construction Funding, Fulfills Commitments to Disabled Community

January 19, 2005 - ANNAPOLIS – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today introduced a balanced, sustainable $25.9 billion operating budget that includes a record $432 million increase in K-12 education funding. Governor Ehrlich’s budget balances an $830 million projected deficit while maintaining historic commitments to education, health care, and individuals with disabilities.    » read more »

Governor Ehrlich Unveils Childhood Lead Poisoning Initiative

Seeks to Eliminate Hazard by 2010

January 18, 2005-- Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., today unveiled legislation that amends Maryland’s lead law with the goal of eliminating childhood lead poisoning in the State by 2010. The major source of exposure for children is lead paint dust from deteriorated lead paint or from home renovation. Currently, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) administers the State’s lead program, which is recognized as a national model.    » read more »