Former Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby sentenced to house arrest for fraud and perjury

Former Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby was sentenced Thursday to a year of house arrest, followed by two years of supervised release, for federal convictions of mortgage fraud and perjury.

U.S. District Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby handed down the sentence late Thursday afternoon in front of a packed courtroom.

She also ordered Mosby to forfeit his Florida vacation home, although Mosby will get back his initial payment and 10% of the appreciated value. Mosby’s defense team is expected to seek the suspension while it pursues the appeal. Mosby must also complete 100 hours of community service.

The 44-year-old mother of two was convicted in February of making a false mortgage application to secure a lower interest rate. The conviction followed a sentencing in November 2023for two counts of perjuryconcerning the withdrawal of funds from the City of Baltimore’s Deferred Compensation Plan.

Prosecutors argued that Mosby withdrew $90,000 from his retirement plan under allegations that the pandemic had harmed his travel-focused side business, but in reality used the funds to buy two vacation homes in Florida.

Although Mosby’s defense argued that she paid an early withdrawal fine and all federal taxes on the $90,000, prosecutors said the money belonged to the city until Mosby was legally eligible to claim it.

Prosecutors also argued that Mosby lied on a home mortgage application, claiming she received a $5,000 gift from her then-husband to close on a condominium in Florida.

“Without the gift letter, the loan would never have been granted and Ms. Mosby would not have obtained the property. No gift letters, no loans,” prosecutors said.

Griggsby agreed, saying Mosby would not have received approval for the loan if she had not sent a fake $5,000 gift letter from her then-husband.

Mosby faced up to 40 years in prison for his convictions, although his lawyers argued against any prison sentence. Prosecutors on Thursday asked for 20 months in prison.

Mosby attracted support from black leaders across the country.

Supporters, including civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, members of the Congressional Black Caucus and the NAACP, have urged President Biden to grant Mosby a presidential pardon. They claim she was unfairly targeted by the Trump administration for its racial justice policies.

On Thursday, crowds gathered outside the courthouse, many in support of Mosby, and some cheered when Mosby’s sentence was announced.

Crump, who spoke on behalf of Mosby, said his crimes were victimless and “white collar.”

“Marilyn Mosby’s indictment appears intended to send a frightening message to our progressive prosecutors,” he said.

Crump added that arresting Mosby would further traumatize his two teenage daughters.

Griggsby appeared to agree with Crump in his decision, stating that Mosby’s crimes did not involve any taxpayer money and the prospect of separating Mosby from his two daughters “weighed heavily” in his decision.

But, Griggsby said, “it’s also a sad day for the city of Baltimore.” She said Mosby demonstrated a “pattern of dishonesty” while holding public office.

Mosby’s lawyers have said they will appeal and continue to seek a presidential pardon.

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story