ANNAPOLIS - In the midst of crafting Maryland’s controversial representation for the next 10 years, Richard Stewart, Advisor to Governor O’Malley, and a member of the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee was prosecuted by the Tax Division of the United States Department of Justice.
According to the Department of Justice, “From 2003 through at least 2008, Stewart did not collect, truthfully account for and pay over approximately $3,969,337 of Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) taxes and federal income tax withholdings, commonly known as trust fund taxes, from his employees’ wages.” Stewart, who plead guilty to the charges on Tuesday, faces up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
David Ferguson, Executive Director of the Maryland Republican Party, commented by saying, “The Governor’s redistricting plan has been criticized by liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans alike for it’s partisan and divisive nature. But now, the integrity of the entire map and the process in which it was crafted must be questioned.”
“Governor O’Malley stood firmly with Mr. Stewart for over 6 months during this very difficult time in his life. While the Governor’s loyalty to his political ally and friend should be commended, his over-riding responsibility is to the nearly 6 million people in Maryland to produce a just map that accurately reflects our political and natural boundaries. In keeping with that responsibility, the Governor should remove Mr. Stewart from the committee.”
According to Governor O’Malley’s office, “Richard Stewart - Presently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Montgomery Mechanical Services Incorporated. A member of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America, Mr. Stewart also has held positions as a board member, director and past president of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Metropolitan Washington. Member of the Maryland Stadium Authority since July 2007.”
A hearing on Governor O’Malley’s legislative redistricting plan is scheduled for this morning at 10:00 a.m. in the Joint Hearing Room, Legislative Services Building, in Annapolis, Maryland.
http://www.mdp.state.md.us/PDF/Press/PressRelease-GRACLegisPlan-121611.pdf
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2011/December/11-tax-1649.html
http://www.gov.state.md.us/pressreleases/110704.asp
http://www.mca-maryland.org/cs/about_us/board_of_directors
http://steamfitters-602.org/contractors.asp
Wait a minute... he pocketed 4 million that should have gone to Uncle Sam and the maximum fine is only $250k???
ReplyDeleteI think I just found my new career!
Comes with 5 years of room & board at a white collar prison, too!
resume enhancement for a democrat
ReplyDeleteThere should be no new spending, no new Taxes, no Politian and Appointees pay raises, no increase in benefits etc. for Politian and Appointees until all of these People Local / State / Federal have paid all back Taxes in full plus all fees (penalties equal to what I would have to pay). Plus immediate dismissal with no benefits.
ReplyDeleteImagine how much would be put in the General Fund or even SSI.