January 9, 2017: Gary Brown, JR., Former Legislative Aide To Mayor Pugh and Member of the Baltimore City Democratic State Central Committee, Charged With Election Law Violations

For Immediate Release                                                               

GARY BROWN, JR., FORMER LEGISLATIVE AIDE TO MAYOR PUGH AND MEMBER OF THE BALTIMORE CITY DEMOCRATIC STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE, CHARGED WITH ELECTION LAW VIOLATIONS

State Prosecutor Emmet C. Davitt announced today that Gary Brown, Jr., a  former legislative aide to then Senator Pugh and present member of the Baltimore City Democratic State Central committee, has been indicted by the Baltimore City Grand Jury on several counts of election law violations stemming from alleged illegal contributions to the Committee to Elect Catherine E. Pugh campaign finance entity. The charges allege that, between January 13, 2016 and April 9, 2016, Mr. Brown, while working for the Mayor’s election campaign, deposited cash into the bank accounts of his mother, step father and brother and then immediately contributed that money in the names of his mother, stepfather and brother to the Pugh campaign. The contributions by Mr. Brown during this period totaled $18,000.00. The maximum amount an individual is allowed to contribute under Maryland law is $6000.00

State Prosecutor Emmet C. Davitt stated: “Election laws are in place to maintain the integrity of the electoral process and foster transparency in the regulation of campaign contributions. Illegal straw contributions in names other than one’s own to evade such laws cannot be tolerated.”

Although charged, the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until there is a conviction. Investigation continuing.