Maryland state senator Ulysses Currie has walked out of federal court a free man after facing charges of federal bribery, but he could still face sanctions by an ethics panel for failing to disclose consulting work. Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller says the General Assembly's Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics will likely meet in January to consider sanctions.
The committee has six members from the House and six from the Senate. A hearing will include charges, which could be drafted by an assistant attorney general or outside counsel. Currie will have a chance to testify before the panel with a lawyer present.
The 74-year-old Prince George's County Democrat was acquitted yesterday in federal court of all conspiracy, bribery, extortion and false statement charges relating to his work for Shoppers Food Warehouse between 2003 and 2008.
Prior to his indictment Currie was chairman of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, which steers billions in state spending.
