An indictment released Monday alleges that a Baltimore politician made illegal contributions to Mayor Catherine Pugh’s 2016 campaign.
According to State Prosecutor Emmet C. Davitt, Gary Brown, Jr. used “straw” contributions to donate $18,000 to Pugh’s campaign during the run-up to last year’s Democratic primary election. The legal limit is $6,000. The indictment alleges Brown deposited $6,000 each into bank accounts of his mother, stepfather and brother. He then allegedly wrote checks to Pugh’s campaign in their name.
The indictment comes about a month after Pugh took office.
“I am saddened by the allegations, and just learned about the charges along with the public,” Pugh said in a statement. “Still, Mr. Brown is presumed innocent while the investigations continue. It will be inappropriate to provide any further comments.”
The announcement doesn’t only affect local government. According to the Baltimore Sun, Brown was set to become a state delegate. Following Barbara Robinson’s appointment to the seat that Pugh held last month, Brown was tabbed by Baltimore Democrats to take over Robinson’s House of Delegates seat.
He was supposed to be sworn in Tuesday, but that is now canceled.
Brown also worked for Pugh as a legislative aide and was a member of the Democratic State Central Committee.
Wow, house of delegate seats are going for as cheap as $18k these days? Although, I suppose that’s just how much he got caught paying. Catherine Pugh certainly did a good job lining her pockets this election season.