Background

Marilyn Mosby Sentenced to House Arrest, Community Service, and Fines

Background

Marilyn Mosby, the former Baltimore City States Attorney, made national headlines for charging six Baltimore police officers in the 2015 Freddie Gray case. However, she later faced federal charges of perjury and obstruction of justice related to her application for a hardship withdrawal from her retirement account during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sentencing

On January 26, 2023, a federal judge sentenced Mosby to 12 months of house arrest, 100 hours of community service, and $45,000 in fines. The judge acknowledged Mosby's "trailblazing" career as Baltimore's first female States Attorney but emphasized the seriousness of her crimes, stating that "the defendant's conduct was a breach of the public trust."

Charges and Trial

Mosby was originally charged in September 2021 with two counts of perjury and two counts of obstruction of justice. The charges stemmed from allegations that she knowingly made false statements on her application for a hardship withdrawal from her city retirement account, claiming that she was financially suffering due to COVID-19. The trial began in January 2023, and the jury found Mosby guilty on all four counts. The prosecution presented evidence that Mosby had used the hardship withdrawal funds to relocate her family to Florida and to purchase a condominium at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

Impact of the Sentence

Mosby's sentence is a significant development in the case, as it marks the first time a former Baltimore City States Attorney has been convicted of federal crimes. The sentence sends a strong message that even high-ranking law enforcement officials are not above the law. The sentence also has implications for Mosby's political career. She was considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, but her conviction will likely prevent her from holding public office again.