February 18th 2024.
On February 16, former top prosecutor for the City of Baltimore, Marilyn Mosby, had her conviction for mortgage fraud upheld by U.S. District Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby. This decision came after Mosby had sought to have her case thrown out on the grounds that there was not enough evidence to prove she was in the state of Maryland when the alleged fraudulent activity occurred. Mosby's supporters gathered outside the courthouse, chanting "hands off Marilyn Mosby" as she left after her motion to acquit was denied.
Mosby's case has sparked controversy, with many seeing her as another black woman being unfairly prosecuted for actions that white men often get away with. She had taken a small PPP loan for her travel business while still receiving her salary as Maryland's Attorney General. This raises the question of how many white male members of Congress have done the same without facing consequences. The support and solidarity for Mosby were evident as her supporters held signs and chanted in her defense.
Judge Griggsby ultimately believed that the evidence presented by the prosecution was enough to establish Mosby's presence in Maryland, as she refused to dismiss the case and even demanded that Mosby turn over her U.S. Passport. She stated, "The court must deny the defendant's motion as to venue issue," and promised to release a written opinion at a later date. This decision came after Mosby had already been found guilty of two counts of perjury in 2023 for withdrawing funds from a retirement account under the CARES Act and using them to purchase a home and a condo.
Mosby's attorney, Maggie Grace, argued that the government had not proven Mosby's presence in Maryland at the time of the alleged fraud, pointing out that there are multiple surrounding states and territories she could have been in. She also argued that credit and debit card records are not reliable enough to place Mosby in Maryland. However, Assistant U.S. District Attorney Aaron Zelinsky countered these arguments, stating that Mosby was most likely in Maryland at the time and that the defense's motion to dismiss was unsupported by case law. He also pointed to a "string of transactions" in Maryland leading up to the purchase in Florida as evidence of her presence in the state.
Despite the judge's order for Mosby to submit her passport, her attorney James Wyda stated that there was no risk of her absconding as she had already had the opportunity to do so and had not. Outside the courtroom, Mosby's supporters voiced their belief in her innocence and their criticism of the government for using taxpayer funds to investigate what they saw as unfounded charges. Some even compared her to historical figures like Harriet Tubman and Shirley Chisholm, applauding her for being a trailblazer.
As Mosby left in a black Chevrolet Suburban, she briefly addressed her supporters, expressing her gratitude before departing. Her sentencing is scheduled for May 23.
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