In a shocking turn of events, former Maryland Delegate and Prince George’s County Councilman William Alberto Campos-Escobar, 42, of Hyattsville, Maryland, has pleaded guilty to federal charges for taking bribes related to the performance of his official duties. The guilty plea was entered under seal on January 5, 2017, and unsealed today.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
“This undercover investigation did not involve an isolated instance of misconduct,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “It exposed a longstanding practice of giving away taxpayer money in exchange for bribes. This type of corruption can flourish when government officials exercise discretion without oversight.”
“A public servant must uphold public trust. You cannot use public service for your own personal gain,” said Special Agent Gordon B. Johnson of the FBI’s Baltimore Division. “Today’s plea announcement should send a clear signal that the FBI will vigorously investigate any public official who attempts to use their position to enrich themselves.”
According to Campos’ plea agreement, Campos conspired to solicit and accept bribes in exchange for favorable official actions. For example, on December 9, 2012, Campos and another suspect met with a cooperating witness to discuss moving the cooperator’s business to the County. They met again on December 21, 2012, and the cooperator gave Campos an envelope with $3,000 in cash. Campos told the cooperator to find a non-profit organization (NPO), and Campos would arrange a grant that the NPO could share with the cooperator. On February 6, 2013, the cooperator received a check for $5,000, made out to the NPO, with a note that the grant represented funds from District 2.
On July 12, 2013, Campos and the other suspect met with the cooperator to discuss other NPOs that Campos could use to funnel County grant funds to the source. Campos said that he was going on vacation and “could use an advance for my trip.” On July 22, 2013, the cooperator called Campos and proposed meeting to give Campos information about the NPOs the cooperator had lined up to receive County grant funds. The cooperator said that he also wanted to “take care” of Campos before his trip.
Campos subsequently asked an undercover FBI employee (UCE) to make a $2,000 campaign contribution to another candidate’s campaign. On January 5, 2017, Campos pleaded guilty to federal charges for taking bribes related to the performance of his official duties.
Mandatory facts: Defendant’s real full name: William Alberto Campos-Escobar, Exact criminal charges: Bribery Conspiracy, City and state: Greenbelt, Maryland, Exact date: January 5, 2017, Sentence: Guilty plea, Outcome: Undetermined
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Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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