Maryland

Maryland Lobbyist Charged in Bribery Scandal Linked to Prince George's County Liquor Board

A Maryland lobbyist is the latest to be charged in an expanding bribery scandal linked to former state legislators and the Prince George’s County liquor board, News4 learned.

Matthew Gorman, a Hyattsville attorney and registered state lobbyist, is charged with bribery and is expected to appear in federal court in Greenbelt Friday for an arraignment hearing.

Charging documents in the case allege Gorman offered a bribe to former state delegate Will Campos in April 2015. Though the court filing from prosecutors doesn’t detail what was asked in return, the charging documents indicate Gorman’s bribe was $1,000.

Gorman previously represented clients in front of the Prince George’s County Council and the Prince George’s County liquor board, according to the court filings. His attorney did not immediately return requests for comment. The federal court clerk’s calendar lists “guilty plea-arraignment” in the entry for Gorman’s court appearance Sept. 22.

Campos pleaded guilty in January to federal bribery charges. The former delegate and county council member admitted accepting bribes in exchange for work pursuing grant money and zoning rules. The court has not scheduled Campos’ sentencing in his case. A status hearing was held Monday morning, but no details on sentencing have been posted.

In January, Campos apologized publicly. "I truly apologize to all of you, my friends and supporters, and to my family," he said. "As embarrassing and devastating as this may be, I own up to my mistakes."

A second Maryland state delegate from Prince George’s County resigned in March. A grand jury charged Michael Vaughn with bribery and wire fraud. Prosecutors accused Vaughn of accepting thousands of dollars to influence his votes on bills to allow Sunday liquor sales in the county. He has pleaded not guilty.

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Two former members of the county liquor board were also charged with bribery in connection earlier this year. The FBI raided the agency’s offices. The officials were accused of participating in a scheme to pay bribes in return for favorable decisions about liquor laws.

Though the charging document in Gorman’s case doesn’t say whether liquor issues are part of his case, the document specified Gorman represented clients before the board as early as 2006.

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