Former QA's Deputy State's Attorney Accused Of Misconduct

Former Queen Anne's County Deputy State's Attorney John Mark McDonald faces allegations of professional misconduct during his time at the state's attorney's office.

The Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland has petitioned the court seeking disciplinary or remedial action. The civil case is set for a non-jury trial in Queen Anne's County Circuit Court in January.

The petition, filed Sept. 12, alleges McDonald engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a co-worker at the state's attorney's office, Melissa Knotts, the former office manager, who pleaded guilty to embezzlement charges from that office in October 2011. It alleges McDonald allowed Knotts to take leave she wasn't entitled to, that he nol prossed five traffic citations as favors to her and he attempted to interfere with her prosecution.
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