DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
85 comments:
Maybe they've been ripping off the area taxpayers for too long and finally got caught.
i don't think we got what we were promised about faster internet connections.
Whats up with that?
Good, biggest waste of federal money ever around here. Bringing broadband to the people who could already get service in 90% of the cases. Did nothing to bring the service to the outlying areas it was supposed to help. Just a way for the chosen few in charge to make their fortune.
so where were these offices that were raided by FBI?
If the FBI is involved in the investigation, he better just pack his bags
Google puts office in salisbury on Northwood drive
Going to trial in state court is one thing. A defendant has a 50/50 chance of beating the charges if they have a good attorney. Federal court, on the other hand, is a whole different story. The conviction rates when brought at the federal level is 97%. That’s right. A defendant only has a 3% shot at beating charges in a federal court, even when they have a good attorney.
Salisbury
North wood drive?
Big deal. The FBI raided Candy Burns’ office and nothing ever came of it!!! Biff Burns is STILL spending money and buying property like there is no tomorrow.
What were they looking for in his homes?
7:41, didn't you hear, the FBI investigated Hillary Clinton and a bunch of liberals but none of them have been charged with anything. The FBI has become as corrupt as the people they investigate.
Don't forget the Thompsons, Ruarks, and retired state trooper Brent
Isn't this where former MSP Troopers Scott Brent and Krah Plunkert work?
Yes all those and many others work there, but you saw that the article stated they raided the CEO Pat Mitchell’s business and his houses. I didn’t see anything about anyone else’s house being raided. Sounds like a specific target. Knowing some of these people you named 2:13 am and highly doubt they would be involved. I’m sure you love to target law enforcement and prior law enforcement. Guess we shall have to see when details come out
10:33, and Mueller? Oh wait, he’s going to jail. They interviewed him back at the beginning of summer. Just cause they show up at your house/business and take your stuff and not you, doesn’t mean they’re done.
Regarding Candy Burns
The FBI is probably building a case(sometimes takes 6 or 7 years)
I have a friend of mine who works at a local Dorchester seafood restaurant and says she see’s Pat Mitchell several times a month with family. She says he always tips 50 to 60 percent of the check. I think she hopes he is not in trouble. I now pose the question how he pays for these family meals and such a huge tip. Wonder if this who thing is about money since there website says they are a “non-profit” organization with a board of directors. My husband worked with a company that he answered to a board of directors and they knew about every penny spent. Guess this board knows about the money spent or if this is about money, they are just as guilty. Non-profit????? Do they have an internal finical person who should know better and have stopped this if it is embezzlement? This will be interesting to see what happens. Sounds similar to other nonprofit embezzlement if that’s the crime. No one overseeing spending. Where is the audit that is required? Or are a lot of people in the sack together and finally got caught.
When the FBI forensic accounting team comes in they close bank accounts and take all files and electronics so your shut down.
I've done business with Maryland Broadband before, they don't provide internet access. All of their customers are internet service providers like Bloosurf and Delmarva Wifi. The customers are responsible for building their networks to reach you and I. Maryland Broadband only does the connection to the backbones out in DC and down in Virgina.
Always knew this was a scam, as you can lay all the fiber you want, doesn't mean you'll get an interconnect agreement at a major IX (Internet Exchange), most likely they'd have to pay someone for Internet peering/access.
Not only that, Verizon and others already have "dark fiber" run to the same areas, so an Internet provider could just lease space from them, and then only have to run a cable the "last mile" (from the pole where the fiber is, so each customers home)
And like others have said, most of areas already served by Comcast, so why would I pay you nearly or the same, when Comcast's internet is going to be superior because they have better peering agreements with all the major players in the game.
Starting to look like embezzlement if they raided the business and his home. And embezzling from the government is a federal crime, hence the FBI.
But, it's all conjecture at this point. Just a guess.
And, yes, I do think that they hire a bunch of retired state police. What they have to do with broadband, I have no idea.
8:39 I work nearby and saw them filling up a van full of stuff from the office. Guess you really have to piss off the FBI for them to raid you the week before Christmas.
Who are the Thompson's?
A lot of taxpayer money has been wasted laying fiber to nowhere. These con artist convince politicians they are going to do something great and then just line there own pockets with the money.
Keep this on top... more soon
8:33 I bet if you surround yourself with the good guys, people think you’re a good guy too.
I have a friend that works at a car dealership and he said they are constantly buying vehicles. Drive by their parking lot and there’s like 4 trucks with their name on them so where are the rest going??
Oh come on people, he’s a drunk, maybe he just needs beer money!
If they were building a case, one would think Biff and Candy would lay low. They don’t seem to care. They keep spending money like crazy. Hope the Feds are still investigating them. Now they have the sludge business to wash the money through.
They took all the files from Candy Burns medical practice and she was open the next day!!! They didn’t get “shut down”. She isn’t even a doctor. She is just a nurse practitioner. Heart surgeons don’t make the money she is claiming to make.
Delmar Fire Dept.
Thompson Twins. a bad new wave band with bad hair from the 80's
You know that's right !!!!
I thought Krah Plunkert works for Fruitland now.
Has Krah ever “worked” anywhere? Not that I know of. He is, and always has been, a master deflector of work. The originator of the shuck and jive.
Joe:
Please pin this at the top for a day. This is of local interest. It would be a shame for it to get buried in the feed.
They have a extremely nice home if Fla .... His wife also does hair and has been doing this business for years under the table... Everything they have is the best Like Tommy Bahamas, pools , Durango’s ....
What? They didn't give them a heads up like they did for Hillary so they could erase everything
Couldn’t happen to a better RAT.
Anonymous said...
I thought Krah Plunkert works for Fruitland now.
December 21, 2018 at 1:52 PM
I think that is a part time job just to keep his commission.
Anonymous said...
Delmar Fire Dept.
December 21, 2018 at 11:53 AM
HUH?
Omg. This has nothing to do with your jealousy of Krah. Or perhaps he’s arrested you. Go back to playing video games in your mom’s basement.
Why is, speaking the truth, being jealous? Ask anyone from MSP. They will tell you.
2:56 You seem like you know them pretty well. Please go on....
Is this one of those typical Eastern Shore 'kick them while they're down'? Lot's of hair dressers do business under the table. Isn't that the whole point of garage salons?
Aww are you a pissed off little troop who got the bad chair??
perhaps mitchell could work for scott brent, president/CEO of JPX Company. but that wont last long. none of scott brent’s attempts to be relevant amount to anything. Brent is a legend, unfortunately it’s only in his own mind
Perhaps mitchell could start working for scott brent president/CEO of GPX company. However, that probably won’t last long. None of scott brent’s attempts to be relevant are fruitful. Scott brent is certainly a legend unfortunately it’s only in his mind.
10:03,agreed,surprising to know them that well and beat on them.
Let the FBI do their job. This is serious!
After reading some of the comments about Mr Plunkert it was time to say something. I worked under him for several years as a civilian and found him to be be one of the most honest and hard working people I met at the State Police. He didn’t expect anything from anyone else that he wouldn’t do himself. He worked above board on any situation he worked in. Having been away from the shore over 5 years I still can count him as a friend. To say he has never worked for what he has is utter BS! Unless you know him personally troll somewhere else....
1038 You’re right, this is serious. I doubt this investigation has just started and I doubt it’s far from over. If this is a case of embezzlement, then it’s at the hand of selfish greedy people and I hope they see what’s happening here. That it affects their families, and their friends, and a company full of innocent people. Ya’ll are using this as a platform to slam people that aren’t listed as being investigated— look at the title. Did it mention Thompson, Ruark, Brent or Plunkert? Nope. All the people that work at Maryland Broadband woke up one day and went to work and sat through this. And now they’re all probably wondering what’s going to happen to their jobs and no one should have to worry about their job at Christmas. Have a little class.
If you worked there and saw what was going on, you HAD to know it wasn’t above board. Especially Plunkert and Brent. They claim to be “trained investigators”. How is it the public knew it wasn’t legit but they didn’t? Hell, Stevie Wonder could see it was smoke and mirrors. People have been talking about it for years and wondered why nothing was done. How can two former Troopers think everything was legal? They didn’t. They just rode the gravy train and milked that cow for all they could for as long as they could. They had no problem bragging about their new vehicles, high salaries and offshore fishing trips.
2:38 has a valid point. At some point it's easy to put 2-and-2 together and realize things might be amiss, as appears to be the case here. And, if you notice something just ain't right, you become somewhat complicit if you have not said anything.
What confuses me is this: what skills do MSP learn to enable them to be experts in fiber optics or high-speed internet? After reading these posts, I'm a bit confused. I mean, aren't there a bunch of techie's out there that might have a better understanding in what MD Broadband does? So, why hire retired MSP officers.
SMH
@238. they? i don’t think so! i have never known plunkert to brag. and I probably know him better than most certainly more than you it’s quite a generalization. clearly you think you know a lot but one thing is for certain you are wholly unaware of what you don’t know.
This is very characteristic of a whistle-blower case.
So if you know so much about what’s going on then why don’t you contact the FBI and be useful instead of complaining about what you think other people should be doing.
Why don’t you go on their website and see what their titles are...
The FBI hit both Maryland and Florida? Sounds like a RICO case is being built. Their website says they are a “non-profit” 501.3.c company. Ooooook
I have sat here over the last several days reading all this nonsense about whatever has happened to this company Maryland Broadband. I have wanted to speak up and defend the only one I know in this mess, but felt it would not be needed. But it now has come to a point I feel I need to return something, anything for what was given to me during a major storm in 2012. I received a call that told me I need to evacuate because of a major storm that would impact Crisfield Maryland. Me and my 86 year old mother made the poor decision to stay and ride the storm out. The winds reached in excess of 80 mph and we had no power. My mother had a medical event and I called 911. I was told that no one would come bc conditions and flooding was to extensive and to dangerous for fire or EMS to come. I learned after the storm that the following occurred. I called 911 and was told no one would come to my house bc of the high winds and over 8 feet of flooding. I was told rescuers could not reach use until morning. I learned that a state trooper named Plunkert told whoever was in charge he could reach us. Plunkert within the hour was at my door, came in and told me exactly what we needed to do. He placed a life vest on my mom and told her he would swim her to high ground to a truck who would then put her in a National Guard truck and That truck would get her to hospital. He was confident and assuring to my mother that he would pull her the 75 to 80 yards swim to the truck. He laughed and reassured her that she could swim better and faster then him in the 80 to 90 mph wind and rain and over 8 foot flooding conditions. I remember Plunkert stepping off the window ledge and my mother jumping to him. He pulled her over 75 yards to the higher ground where she was then transported to hospital. No one may ever know what he did for me and my family. It I’m sure has never been talked about of Plunkert ever recognized for his bravery. I have never had the chance to say thank he did. He came out when no one else would under the extreme circumstances to help my mom. I know he knew that his life was in danger to help us and he acted like it was nothing. So I return for what you did, trooper Plunkert, no one should ever challenge your dedication or credibility or even your loyalty or honesty. Your a hero to me and my family and my mom and there is no one that could ever say you wouldn’t step up and do what is needed. The comments that bring your honesty, integrity and honor into question are coming from those who truly don’t know who you are. I never had the chance to say Thank you for risking your life when those who wouldn’t come. Thank you Trooper Plunkert. You were an angel in the night and faced danger without regard for your own. With that I have my mom today.
I have to agree with the flood victim. I, too, have known Trooper Plunkert for many years. Not only did he serve the MSP honorably, he also dedicated many hours coaching area kids. I do not think he will be implicated in this case and, in fact, he may be the one who brought it to the authorities. You never know.
I think he's a good guy, but the rest of this story smells like low tide.
This story is about the CEO -President Pat Mitchell. If the FBI is investigating it has to be some type of embezzlement case. The website says they have a Chief Finicial Officer a Michelle Smethurst. Being in business for over 20 years, I know for a fact my CFO knows about every penny that comes in and goes out. She is either the one who will go down ( where Mitchell is just a figure head and identified as the owner only, not involved) or this CFO and Mitchell are working together to embezzle funds. There is no way the CFO of a company not know that the books are not adding up correctly. I’m sure that both the “cooked” books and the actual books given to the IRS every year have been seized by FBI. Nothing can ever be deleted in this day and time. She is paid as a CFO and it falls squarely on her shoulders if the CEO Mitchell is embezzling. There is no way she can’t know. We shall see as this unfolds, but I predict she will be siting in a federal prison for sure. My bet is more on her then Mitchell. Unless she is the one who is embedded with the FBI and exposed everything to them in fear of a wardrobe color change. Just saying, everyone here pointing fingers at all these others and as a business owner myself, you have missed the obvious.
Oh Bloosurf, didnt they get grant money to provide a higher speed to rural areas only to point their dishes towards the city of Salisbury??
9:27 is right. The CEO could not embezzle anything, unless it was under the table, i.e., bribery money to get contracts. Otherwise, it all had to come through her, along with the expensive trucks, and bloated payrolls. I assume she was an accountant or CPA.
I looked at the website too and saw a list of board of directors. Are any of them on the hook as well? I wonder how much they knew.
Maybe the former police officers were informants to the FBI.
501c(12). Not a 501 c(3)
Big difference
From the looks of the website and the police officers positions, I doubt they would have access to finances. Companies will limit those departments especially limit them to only a few like the CFO and CEO if they are embezzling.
Glad you bought up Candy and Biff Burns. Shouldn't someone be reminded that these two thieves are still at large? Has this been swept under the rug? There should be a prosecution for the crimes they committed. Why has the not been?? Hmmmmmmmmm. Sure makes you wonder.
Re: Candy Burns
See the comment on Dec21
This sounds like a whistleblower started this. It doesn’t have to be embezzlement which the CFO might or might not know about. In a lot of cases where there are dealings with outside contractors, the person responsible for awarding the contracts gets a kickback from the contractor that doesn’t go through the company’s books. Better to wait and see what develops before reaching any conclusions.
Money can corrupt anyone, even a cop.
Maybe you can explain the difference.
Not for profit.....Non Profit.
Theft Theft
Does this involve a Smethurst related to the Smethurst that is dealing with the County on a gift of land?
Your assistant chief . Have you checked your books .
Salisbury your city is full of lying thieving business and government leaders
What local CPA firm audited the books?
Michelle Adolette to Michelle Marriner(look up crook Mitchell Marriner)divorced and now Michelle Smethurst.
TGM Group
December 26, 2018 at 1:00 PM
I dealt with them thru a past employer. I couldn't run away fast enough.
Pat is the target of this investigation. The rest were just overpaid good ole boys. If the Feds splash the money around the way they did in this fiasco it is no wonder more were not complicit. Read the volumes of study that went into this program. Muir Boda sat on that review board. It was a dog and pony show to get millions of dollars to the Eastern Shore. They had ONE employee that had experience in telecommunications and sales of that type of communication. As for Brent and Krah they are harmless good ole Troopers being paid great money for a retirement job. They both have solid benefits from their time in the Maryland State Police. Pat is a functional drunk who hired buddies. House in Florida and a home here. Pat must have been doing well and your question is answered. Pat will be doing a little time in a Fed Pen. No one else benefited from Pat's money structuring and theft. So stop kicking the innocent. They did what 99% would do they took jobs that paid well to do nothing. Like Congress and the House. Our tax dollars have been abused since the day our forefathers started taxing us. If I recall taxation without representation was the reason we warred with England just so colonial politicians could line their pockets. Hang all the politicians. Then hang all the lawyers in Black robes. Enough said.
5:43 pretty much sums it up.
CEO Patrick Mitchell has been fired by the Maryland Broadband Cooperative Board of Directors.
CEO Patrick Mitchell has been fired by the Maryland Broadband Cooperative Board of Directors.
Appreciate the recommendation. Will try it out.
Any new info on this case?
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