Two Republican strategists were found guilty Tuesday of violating state election laws by sending out robocalls during a 2014 Anne Arundel County council race.
Dennis Fusaro, former campaign manager of Councilman Michael Peroutka, and Stephen Waters, a political consultant from Virginia, were sentenced to a year in jail with all but 30 days suspended for violating and conspiring to violate the authority line requirements of Maryland election laws. They were also sentenced to three years of unsupervised probation and a $1,000 fine.
District Court Judge John P. McKenna Jr. said the goal of the sentence, harsher than recommended by the state prosecutor, was to deter the defendants from repeating the crime and to send a message to others involved in political campaigns.
County Councilman Michael Anthony Peroutka acknowledged Tuesday that he reached an immunity agreement with state prosecutors before sending over emails and other records as part of an investigation into illegal robocalls aimed at his political opponent in 2014.
Taking the witness stand for the second...
County Councilman Michael Anthony Peroutka acknowledged Tuesday that he reached an immunity agreement with state prosecutors before sending over emails and other records as part of an investigation into illegal robocalls aimed at his political opponent in 2014.
Taking the witness stand for the second...
"There's a lot of rough and tumble in politics, but there are rules," McKenna said during a hearing in Glen Burnie. "And the rules were violated in this case."
The charges against Fusaro and Waters stemmed from a 2014 robocall that many saw as an attempt to smear Peroutka's Democratic opponent in the District 5 race, Patrick Armstrong.
The robocall, which went to about 5,000 Anne Arundel County residents days before the 2014 election, encourages listeners to call Armstrong and thank him "for his bravery in coming out of the closet," giving the home phone number of Armstrong's mother. It then links the Democrat to a controversial state measure referred to as "the bathroom bill," which banned discrimination against transgender people in public areas, including restrooms.
The robocall states it is authorized by a group called Marylanders for Transgenders. The prosecution argued that isn't true, and witnesses said a Google search showed no evidence of the group existing.
A District Court judge denied motions Wednesday for an acquittal and dismissal in the trial of Dennis Fusaro and Stephen Waters, Republican strategists charged with violating Maryland election law in connection with robocalls during a 2014 Anne Arundel County Council race.
Judge John P. McKenna...
A District Court judge denied motions Wednesday for an acquittal and dismissal in the trial of Dennis Fusaro and Stephen Waters, Republican strategists charged with violating Maryland election law in connection with robocalls during a 2014 Anne Arundel County Council race.
Judge John P. McKenna...
Tuesday, McKenna said it was made clear during the trial that Waters and Fusaro were the ones responsible for the call.
Armstrong, who is openly gay, lost to Peroutka by 1,932 votes. The Democrat has said he believes the robocall cost him votes.
Attorneys for Waters and Fusaro said Tuesday they plan to appeal the decision.
Peroutka, who was not charged, testified last week under an immunity agreement that he was unaware of the robocall prior to its release.
This story will be updated.
The home of Brian and Kathleen Hasson in the Poplar Point Community of Edgewater is featured as Home of the Week.
The home of Brian and Kathleen Hasson in the Poplar Point Community of Edgewater is featured as Home of the Week.
The home of Brian and Kathleen Hasson in the Poplar Point Community of Edgewater is featured as Home of the Week.
The home of Brian and Kathleen Hasson in the Poplar Point Community of Edgewater is featured as Home of the Week.
The Southern High School's Interact Club creates posters to sell tickets for the upcoming Quacks for Packs Student Teacher Basketball Game fundraiser.
The Southern High School's Interact Club creates posters to sell tickets for the upcoming Quacks for Packs Student Teacher Basketball Game fundraiser.
Ernest Green, one of the Little Rock Nine, speaks to Bowie State University students and faculty during a Black History Month event.
Ernest Green, one of the Little Rock Nine, speaks to Bowie State University students and faculty during a Black History Month event.
Broadneck High School students work through Tuesday night rehearsing their upcoming performance of the play "Evita".
Broadneck High School students work through Tuesday night rehearsing their upcoming performance of the play "Evita".
Firefighters quickly contained a small fire at Comfy Feet Spa at the Annapolis mall Tuesday morning.
Firefighters quickly contained a small fire at Comfy Feet Spa at the Annapolis mall Tuesday morning.
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