January 13, 2017: Indictment of Former Office Manager of Washington, Maryland, Delaware Service Station and Automotive Repair Association Charged With Felony Theft and Fraudulent Filing Under Oath
INDICTMENT
The grand jurors of the State of Maryland for the body of Anne Arundel County do on their oath present that
COUNT 1
MARTA GATES-JONES
From on or about January 27, 2012 and through and including on or about July 31, 2015, 2010, at Anne Arundel County aforesaid, pursuant to a common scheme and continuing course of conduct, did steal money having a value exceeding TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10, 000. 00), but less than ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($100, 000. 00), property of the campaign finance entity “Service Station Dealers Political Committee PAC”, to wit: being employed as office manager by the Washington, Maryland, Delaware Service Station and Automotive Repair Association, having access to a stamp with the signature of the PAC’s treasurer, and being tasked with the duty to file the PAC’s campaign finance reports, did willfully and knowingly exert unauthorized control over the funds of the Service Station Dealers Political Committee PAC by writing numerous checks payable to herself and cashing same checks totaling approximately $42,650.00 for her personal use and benefit, in violation of Section § 7-104 of the Criminal Law Article, Annotated Code of Maryland and against the peace, government and dignity of the State.
(Theft over $10,000.00, Criminal Law Article, § 7-104)
Penalty 15 years and/or $15,000.
CJIS Code 1-0633
COUNT II
And the jurors aforesaid upon their oath aforesaid do further present that the said
MARTA GATES-JONES
On or about January 15, 2014, at Anne Arundel County aforesaid, did fraudulently and willfully make false statements and entries in the Service Station Dealers Political Committee PAC 2014 annual campaign finance report required to be filed under oath pursuant to Section 13-304 of the Election Law Article, to wit: did fraudulently list several advertising expenses whereas the expenditures were actually checks written to herself for her personal use and benefit, in violation of Section 13-601 of the Election Law Article, Annotated Code of Maryland and against the peace, government and dignity of the State.
(Election Law Article 13-601)
Penalty 10 years
CJIS Code 2-0371
_______________________
EMMET C. DAVITT
STATE PROSECUTOR
Office of the State Prosecutor
Suite 410, Hampton Plaza
300 E. Joppa Road
Towson, Maryland 21286
(410) 321-4067