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President for Life
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52688-2003Dec10.html
Md. State Police Superintendent Indicted
Norris Charged With Spending City Money on Personal Use
By Susan Levine and Lori Montgomery
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, December 10, 2003; 12:47 PM
Maryland State Police Superintendent Edward T. Norris was indicted by a federal grand jury yesterday on charges of diverting more than $20,000 from a Baltimore police account during his years leading the city force, money he allegedly spent as his own private slush fund for liquor, lingerie and liaisons.
U.S. Attorney Thomas M. DiBiagio announced the indictment this morning and termed it a significant public corruption case.
"This indictment is consistent with and in furtherance of a simple proposition that has guided federal prosecutors in Maryland for 50 years: justice without fear or favor," DiBiagio said. "If a police chief repeatedly lies, cheats and steals and we look the other way, what message does that send to law enforcement officers in the street . . . ,what message does that send to the public about the quality of justice in the federal courthouse in Maryland?"
Also named in the four-count indictment was Norris' chief of staff, John Stendrini, who followed the police veteran through his career in New York, Baltimore and now the state post.
The two men allegedly conspired to siphon dollars from the Baltimore Police Supplemental Account by directing the department's fiscal section to write checks to members of Norris's security detail, who cashed them and held the money until Norris needed it, according to the indictment.
None of the members of the security detail is named in the indictment or charged with any count.
DiBiagio said both Norris and Stendrini are expected to surrender to U.S. marshals tomorrow.
Norris's attorney, Andrew J. Graham, said neither he nor the superintendent would comment on the indictment this morning. Norris has repeatedly defended his use of the fund and said he did nothing wrong.
Spokesmen for Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) and the Maryland State Police declined to comment until they had seen details of the indictments..
Administration sources said Norris, 43, could be asked to resign immediately.
The federal probe has centered on Norris's management of a special account created in 1983, when Baltimore police officials consolidated three Depression-era funds used primarily to provide small loans to needy department employees and to pay for the Police Athletic League. Because the cash came from ticket sales and private donations, it was controlled within the department and traditionally not considered subject to overview by city auditors.
Norris attracted attention, however, by drawing $159,190 from the account after he became commissioner in 2000, paying tens of thousands of dollars for trips, meals and such gifts as flowers, dress shoes and Baltimore Orioles game tickets. The off-the-books spending was called into question late last year, and Baltimore officials commissioned audits. Ultimately, city officials reduced Norris's severance package by more than $7,600 to cover questionable items.
The grand jury launched its investigation in February. In April, the panel sought laptop computers and a multiplicity of police records, including appointment calendars, telephone logs, address books and records from cell phone calls, travel reimbursement and payroll from 2000 to 2002. Subsequent grand jury actions subpoenaed members of Norris's former security detail and records of federal grants the department received in those years.
Because the department receives federal money, DiBiagio said it was well within his purview to bring questions about Norris's spending into federal court.
DiBiagio said it remains unclear how some money in the fund was spent and said the investigation is continuing. "We're investigating everyone involved in the fund and the spending."
The indictment details the use of $20,000 from the fund and asserts much of the money was spent on romantic liaisons with six female companions at private residences and other locations in the Baltimore area, New York and elsewhere.
DiBiagio said that Norris used the money to paid for travel and meals for these women and to stock his house with alcohol.
Norris's use of the fund already had come under fire when Ehrlich tapped him nearly a year ago to lead the 2,500-member state force. As late as last week, the governor continued to offer his full support. But Ehrlich also said he would consider asking Norris, a third-generation police officer and 20-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, to leave his post if he were indicted.
Ehrlich's chief legal counsel, Jervis S. Finney, said the governor would wait for him to review any indictment before deciding whether to seek Norris's resignation.
If Norris does step down, sources said, an interim superintendent would be named. Among those under consideration as a permanent replacement are Thomas E. Hutchins, a former state trooper who serves as secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, and Douglas DeLeaver, Maryland Transit Police chief.
Under Maryland law, a state employee charged with a crime can continue to serve, unless the employee is convicted. According to state police policy, a trooper charged with a felony is suspended without pay automatically and investigated by the agency's internal affairs division.
Dan Poist, spokesman for the State Law Enforcement Officers Labor Alliance, which has been at odds with Norris since he took office, said his continued service would be "a distraction to the state police and embarrassment to the governor."
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Trooper
 
Group: Past PNET Supporter
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Wow if that turns out to be true... what a piece of shit... Shame...
Only the dead have seen the end of war
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Seasoned Vet
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At least the money wasn't wasted.
Liquor and women...
Go with God, but make Him walk the point.
If you load a mudfoot down with a lot of gadgets he has to watch somebody a lot more simply equipped - say with a stone axe - will sneak up and bash his head in while he is trying to read a Vernier. - Robert Heinlein
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