September 22, 2014: Montgomery County Police Officer Charged with Perjury and Felony Workers’ Compensation Fraud

For Immediate Release                                                                                      September 23, 2014  

 MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH PERJURY AND FELONY WORKERS’ COMPENSATION FRAUD

             State Prosecutor Emmet C. Davitt announced today that Montgomery County Police Officer Gilbert L. Payne, who left the Baltimore City Police Department on a full disability pension in 2007, has been charged in the Baltimore City Circuit Court with perjury and felony workers’ compensation fraud. This matter was referred to the Office of the State Prosecutor by the Baltimore City Inspector General’s Office.

             The charges allege that Officer Payne falsely testified under oath at a September 2008 workers’ compensation hearing that he was not employed at the time, nor had he been employed since retiring from the Baltimore City Police Department, when, in fact, he was then employed full time as a sworn Towson University Police Officer. The charging document alleges that, as a result of this fraudulent misrepresentation, he received just over $30,000.00 in payments to which he was not entitled.

             State Prosecutor Emmet C. Davitt stated: “Testifying falsely under oath and making false statements in order to fraudulently obtain additional workers’ compensation funds is never acceptable. It is particularly egregious, however, when such acts are committed by a police officer sworn to uphold the law.”

             Although charged, the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until there is a conviction. If convicted, the Defendant faces up to ten years’ imprisonment on the perjury count and fifteen years’ imprisonment and a $15,000 fine on the felony workers’ compensation count.