January 13, 2021: Baltimore City Employee Charged with Perjury

Maryland State Prosecutor Charlton T. Howard III announced today that charges have been filed in Baltimore, Maryland, against Elizabeth “Betsy” Gardner, a Baltimore City employee, for perjury.

Ms. Gardner is alleged to have received payments from community organizations that she failed to disclose on her required city financial disclosure forms. In 2016, Ms. Gardner worked as a community liaison for the Baltimore City Council President’s Office under then Baltimore City Council President Bernard “Jack” Young, and during that time received money from several community organizations. In 2016, Ms. Gardner also ran for the District 5 City Council seat, now occupied by Councilman Isaac “Yitzy” Schleifer.

If convicted of perjury, Ms. Gardner faces a maximum sentence of imprisonment of not more than ten (10) years.

“Requiring government officials to file truthful and accurate financial disclosure forms ensures transparency and the public’s ability to hold those officials responsible for any potential conflicts of interest,” said Howard. “Our office will continue to hold accountable any public official who is dishonest on these disclosures in order to protect public trust in our government institutions.”

The Office of the State Prosecutor would like to acknowledge the Baltimore City Office of the Inspector General for their assistance in this case. All individuals who are charged with a criminal offense are presumed to be innocent.

A copy of the charging document can be found HERE.