GREENBELT, Md. (AP) A federal jury on Thursday convicted former Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby of two counts of perjury for lying about the financial hardship she faced during the COVID-19 pandemic to withdraw money from her retirement savings accounts to purchase two Florida vacation homes.
The conviction marks a stunning fall from grace for Mosby, who once gained national acclaim for her progressive approach to criminal justice and her decision to prosecute six Baltimore police officers involved in the death of Freddie Gray, a Black man who died in police custody in 2015.
Prosecutors alleged that Mosby falsely claimed on loan applications that she had suffered a financial hardship due to the pandemic, when in fact she was still receiving her full salary and benefits from the city of Baltimore. Mosby used the money she withdrew from her retirement accounts to purchase a $450,000 second home in Kissimmee, Florida, in 2020 and a $750,000 vacation home in Ocean City, Maryland, in 2021.
Mosby’s defense attorneys argued that she had made an honest mistake in her loan applications and that she had never intended to defraud anyone. They also accused the prosecution of targeting Mosby for political reasons.
However, the jury was not persuaded by Mosby’s defense. After deliberating for less than two hours, they found her guilty of both counts of perjury.
Mosby faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for each count of perjury. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 22, 2024.
The conviction is a major blow to Mosby’s political career. She was defeated in the Democratic primary for state’s attorney last year and is now facing the prospect of prison time.
It is also a black eye for the criminal justice system, as Mosby was once one of the most high-profile prosecutors in the country. Her conviction raises questions about the accountability of prosecutors and the fairness of the justice system.
The Impact of Mosby’s Conviction
Mosby’s conviction has sent shockwaves through the legal community and the city of Baltimore. Many are wondering what the impact of her conviction will be on the criminal justice system and on the city as a whole.
Some legal experts believe that Mosby’s conviction could have a chilling effect on other prosecutors who are considering bringing charges against police officers or other powerful individuals. They worry that prosecutors may be more hesitant to bring charges in these types of cases for fear of being targeted themselves.
Others believe that Mosby’s conviction is a sign that the criminal justice system is holding prosecutors accountable to the same standards as everyone else. They argue that prosecutors should not be above the law and that they should be held to the same high standards of ethics and integrity as other public officials.
The impact of Mosby’s conviction on the city of Baltimore is also uncertain. Some residents believe that her conviction is a setback for the city’s efforts to reform the criminal justice system. They worry that her conviction will make it more difficult for the city to attract and retain talented prosecutors.
Others believe that Mosby’s conviction is an opportunity for the city to move forward and rebuild trust in the criminal justice system. They argue that her conviction shows that no one is above the law and that everyone is accountable for their actions.