Fallston settlement processor pleads guilty to making false statements

BALTIMORE, MD—A Maryland settlement processor has pleaded guilty to making false statements to financial institutions in connection with real-estate settlements, authorities say. Rebecca Marie Cohn, 38, of Fallston, worked as a settlement and title processor for Residential Title & Escrow Company in Owings Mills from 2013 to 2019. In her role, Cohn created, reviewed, and submitted HUD-1 Settlement Statements to […]

Baltimore County business owner sentenced to prison for bribing broadband CEO

BALTIMORE, MD—A Harford County man who ran a Baltimore County-based business has been sentenced to 20 months in federal prison for bribing the former CEO of a Maryland broadband cooperative, according to federal prosecutors. Wayne I. Kacher, Jr., 52, was found guilty by a federal jury on May 21, 2024 of conspiracy, honest services wire fraud, and federal program bribery. […]

Maryland man pleads guilty in $1 million unemployment fraud scheme

BALTIMORE, MD—A Maryland man has pleaded guilty to his role in a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $1 million in unemployment benefits, authorities say. Mervyn Fombe Abiko, 35, of Prince George’s County, was involved in a conspiracy to impersonate victims and submit fraudulent unemployment insurance claims from February 2020 through February 2021, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Abiko […]

Baltimore County man indicted for passport fraud

BALTIMORE, MD—A federal grand jury charged a Baltimore County man with passport fraud, aggravated identity theft, false statements and false representation of a social security number, authorities say. Beautiful Life Allah, 65, also known as Tezelle Miller, of Gwynn Oak, is accused of using someone else’s social security number to apply for a passport, submitting a fake custody order to […]

Florida man pleads guilty to defrauding Maryland, California of more than $2.3 million in COVID-19 unemployment benefits

BALTIMORE, MD—A Florida man has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in a scheme to defraud Maryland and California of more than $2.3 million in unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. David Godin, 34, of Miami, used stolen identities, virtual private networks and proxy servers to file 140 fraudulent claims in multiple states, according to the […]

Former insurance agent, financial advisor from Parkville charged in third fraud scheme

BALTIMORE, MD—A former Baltimore County insurance agent and financial advisor has been indicted on theft and fraud charges. Attorney General Anthony G. Brown on Wednesday announced that the Grand Jury for Baltimore County has handed down a third indictment charging Michael C. Okolo, 68, of Parkville, with theft of property valued at $100,000 or more. This is the third time […]

Former state correctional officer sentenced for felony insurance theft scheme

BALTIMORE, MD—A former state correctional officer has been sentenced in connection with a felony insurance theft scheme. Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has announced that Racquel Britt Davis, 51, of Baltimore, was sentenced by the Honorable Robert E. Cahill, Jr., of the Circuit Court for Baltimore County for felony theft of $25,000 to $100,000 and ordered to pay $50,251.66 in […]

Baltimore County woman convicted in $20 million life insurance fraud scheme

BALTIMORE, MD—A Baltimore County woman has been convicted on fraud and money laundering charges after a federal jury found her guilty of misrepresenting the health and life insurance coverage of more than 40 people to obtain life insurance policies worth more than $20 million. Maureen Wilson, 77, of Owings Mills, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit mail and wire […]