News Summary
Lawrence Smith, a former Baltimore City Schools Police Officer, has pleaded guilty to stealing $215,000 in taxpayer funds through felony wire fraud and income tax evasion. As part of his plea deal, he will forfeit $200,000 and repay $61,233 to the IRS, but he will retain his taxpayer-funded pension. This case highlights concerns about accountability and transparency in public service, as Smith logged overtime while not working, costing taxpayers approximately $93,000. The impact on public trust in government institutions remains a pressing concern.
Baltimore – Lawrence Smith, a former Baltimore City Schools Police Officer, has been convicted of stealing $215,000 in taxpayer funds. He pleaded guilty to felony wire fraud and income tax evasion in federal court. As part of a plea deal, Smith agreed to forfeit at least $200,000 to the U.S. Government and pay $61,233 in restitution to the IRS. While his felonies could lead to a maximum prison sentence of 25 years, a sentencing date has yet to be established.
Despite the severity of his actions, Smith will retain his taxpayer-funded pension. This decision has drawn criticism from individuals like David Williams, who highlight it as an issue undermining public trust in government institutions. Smith served as a Baltimore City School Police officer for 22 years, from 2002 to 2024, and participated in the Baltimore City Employee Retirement System (ERS), which accepts contributions from police officers.
The ERS clarified that there is no “bad-boy” clause that would prevent pension benefits for misconduct, except for elected officials. Furthermore, the amount of pension benefits Smith will receive remains undisclosed, as such information is not considered public record, leaving taxpayers unaware of the scale of their financial exposure.
In September 2023, Smith was arrested by the FBI after being found guilty of logging overtime while not actually working. Investigators uncovered that Smith had been seen on Facebook Live engaging in recreational activities during his claimed work hours. Despite his arrest, he remained on the City Schools payroll for nearly a year, resulting in a cost to taxpayers of approximately $93,000.
State law does provide the City Schools with the authority to seek reimbursement for the funds paid to Smith, but there has been no confirmation on whether the district will pursue this option. Williams commented on the broader implications of this case, suggesting that it reflects failures within the school system to adequately protect both taxpayers and students.
As the situation unfolds, it raises concerns about accountability and transparency within public service sectors, particularly in relation to the management of pension funds and the consequences for misconduct by public officials.
With Smith’s sentencing pending, the community continues to grapple with the implications of his actions and the decisions surrounding his pension. The case serves as a critical reminder of the importance of oversight and accountability in public service roles.
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Additional Resources
- Fox Baltimore: Baltimore City Schools Police Officer Pension
- Wikipedia: Pension
- Fox Baltimore: Baltimore Police Seek Help in Shooting Investigation
- Google Search: Baltimore Police Shooting Investigation
- Fox Baltimore: Maryland State Police Condemn AI Coin
- Google Scholar: Police Accountability
- Fox Baltimore: Person Stabbed in Baltimore County
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Crime and Punishment
- Fox Baltimore: Groundbreaking for Replacement School
- Google News: Baltimore School Construction
Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
