BALTIMORE, MD – Maryland State Senator Nathaniel Thomas Oaks, 70, of Baltimore, is facing federal charges of honest services wire fraud, the Department of Justice announced today. Oaks allegedly accepted payments in exchange for leveraging his official position to benefit a businessman. The scheme, uncovered by the FBI, paints a picture of a seasoned politician willing to sell his influence for cold, hard cash.
According to court documents, the alleged bribery began as early as September 21, 2015, when Oaks was introduced to an FBI confidential human source (CHS) posing as an out-of-town developer. The CHS, working with a cooperating defendant who operates a legitimate minority-owned business, sought assistance securing contracts in Baltimore City. During a recorded meeting in Pikesville, Oaks reportedly offered his services, laying the groundwork for a corrupt arrangement.
Over the following months, the CHS and Oaks engaged in numerous recorded conversations discussing potential development opportunities, including a United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) project. Oaks allegedly expressed interest in assisting with the project. The pressure escalated in March 2016 when the CHS broached the subject of payment for Oaks’ help. Soon after, Oaks penned two letters on official Maryland House of Delegates letterhead, falsely portraying his relationship with the CHS and his knowledge of the HUD project, all while accepting a total of $10,300.
The scheme didn’t stop there. On September 22, 2016, Oaks received another $5,000 cash payment in exchange for filing a bond bill requesting $250,000 for the project with the Maryland Department of Legislative Services (DLS). Oaks followed through, submitting the bill later that same day, and even forwarded a draft from a DLS employee to the CHS. Every penny paid to Oaks was supplied by the FBI, and all interactions were meticulously documented with audio and video recording equipment.
Oaks, who served as a Maryland State Delegate from 1994 before being appointed to the Senate in 2017, now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if convicted of honest services wire fraud. He is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Baltimore today at 4:00 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark J. Coulson. United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office spearheaded the investigation.
It’s crucial to remember that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Oaks is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen O. Gavin and Leo J. Wise are prosecuting the case. This investigation serves as a stark reminder that even those in positions of power are not above the law, and the Grimy Times will continue to expose corruption wherever it festers.
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Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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