MARYLAND NEWS

The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) has agreed to pay the United States $10 million to settle claims that it improperly charged NIH-funded research grants for time Source: US Attorney, District of Maryland

Gary Brown Jr. — a loyal top aide to former Mayor Catherine Pugh who federal prosecutors have called a "bagman" in the "Healthy Holly" scandal — was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison on Friday. Source: Baltimore Business Journal

Allegedly Provided $5,000 to an Immigration Official as a Down Payment to Illegally Obtain a Permanent Resident Card. Source: US Attorney, District of Maryland

In total, the duo is accused of stealing at least $565,000 from two businesses and the identities of at least eight postal customers  Source: CBS WJZ-13

The U.S. Department of Labor announced a total of $100 million in funding to support state efforts to combat fraud and recover improper payments in the Unemployment Insurance program, including those programs created under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Source: Baltimore Sun and US Department of Labor

Defendants Allegedly Presented Themselves as Pastors and Targeted Churchgoers; Promised Investments in Foreign Currency and Cryptocurrency; Spent Investor Funds on Lavish Lifestyles. Source: US Attorney, District of Maryland

An Elkton, MD., man, a former Baltimore Department of Public Works (“DPW”) supervisor pleaded guilty on August 27, 2020, to the federal charge of extortion under color of official right for misuse of his authority as a public employee. Source: US Attorney, District of Maryland

The settlement stems from an investigation led by an 11-state executive committee that included Maryland, and a total of 48 state and territory attorneys general. The states alleged that Honda’s actions and failures to act, as well as its misrepresentations about the safety of its vehicles, were unfair and deceptive, and that Honda’s conduct violated state consumer protection laws. Source: Maryland Attorney General

Businesses in Maryland have been receiving a letter entitled “2020 Certificate of Good Standing Request Form” that requests a fee in exchange for a letter of good standing with an “official seal of the Secretary of State.” This letter is a SCAM...Some business entities in Maryland are required to have a certificate of good standing, but not from the Secretary of State. An official certificate of good standing is available from the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation websitefor a nominal fee. Source: Maryland Attorney General

Some unemployed workers whose Maryland unemployment benefits were taken away due to an identity theft investigation still have not had their money restored, one month after the probe was made public.Source: Baltimore Sun