NewsRegionBaltimore City

Actions

Former Baltimore Delegate Cheryl Glenn pleads guilty to wire fraud, bribery

Posted at 2:49 PM, Jan 22, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-22 18:19:14-05

BALTIMORE — Former Baltimore City State Delegate Cheryl Glenn has pleaded guilty to both counts of wire fraud and bribery.

Federal prosecutors in Maryland charged Glenn with bribery and wire fraud.

Criminal information was unsealed in December alleging Glenn accepted $33,750 in bribes in exchange for her vote on opioids and medical marijuana and liquor license legislation.

Glenn abruptly resigned her seat in the House of Delegates also in December.

Prosecutors say Glenn, 68, agreed to vote in favor of a bill to increase the amount of medical marijuana grower licenses available to an out-of-state company, all while promising to help change state law to give Maryland residents preference when applying for a license.

RELATED: Former Md. Delegate Cheryl Glenn indicted on federal bribery, wire fraud charges

In April 2018 after a bill passed, Glenn met at a restaurant with a company applying for a cannabis license, and took $3000 in cash, which she later used to pay a tax bill on her home.

Then in June 2018, Glenn met with a Maryland based company at a restaurant. Court documents say Glenn was asked how another company was given a marijuana license without any high-priced lobbyists, and Glenn replied "they know God and Cheryl Glenn."

Weeks later, Glenn followed up with an associate to see if that company wanted her help. The associate said the company was interested, at which point Glenn asked if the company would be making a donation or something. Shortly after the associate got back with Glenn and told her the company was offering $10,000. Glenn and the associate then decided they would split the money in half.

Another bribe involved Glenn introducing legislation in October 2018 that would lower the years of experience required to become medical director of an opioid therapy clinic. Additionally, Glenn is accused of taking bribes in return for proposing legislation in January 2019 to create a class B alcohol and liquor license for a company trying to open a restaurant in Glenn's district.

For those, Glenn collected a total of $20,000. Glenn falsely claimed the money was gifted to her and had nothing to do with her position as a state lawmaker.

Glenn faces up to 25 years behind bars.