By Kenneth C. Rossignol
ST. MARY’S TODAY
LEONARDTOWN — As Daniel Brown, self-described as "The Land Shark" sits behind bars unable to make his bail in jail, the police who have been hounding him and a prominent local attorney for nearly a year said on Friday that in addition to the 70 count indictment already leveled on Brown, another 68 were added this week for good measure.
Police say that their phones haven’t stopped ringing with alleged victims showing up to say that they were ripped off in land deals but had resigned themselves to simply losing out.
"As the investigation into Daniel Jason Brown, 31, of Leonardtown) continues, there are sixty-eight additional counts that were handed down by the Grand Jury for St. Mary’s County. Four separate warrants were issued related to various investigations. The charges range from illegal transfer of a regulated firearm, false and forged land deeds and felony theft scheme."
Police say that Brown is currently being held on $50,000.00 cash bond and will have a bond hearing later next week on the new charges.
Capt. Alioto was asked if any charges have been brought against Brown’s real estate partner and St. Mary’s States Attorney candidate John A. Mattingly, Jr. and all he would say was "additional charges and arrests are pending".
Brown and Mattingly, in separate interviews, contend that they are innocent, that the entire investigation into them and their business is a sham and brought about in retaliation by St. Mary’s States Attorney Richard Fritz due to an announcement last winter by Mattingly that he was going to run against Fritz in next year’s election.
In a statement released on Friday, the police said: "The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Vice Narcotics is thankful for all the information that the public continues to share in regards to these investigations, as well as the additional victims that have come forward. If anyone has information related to Daniel Brown, his associates, Graydon Sears, Smythington Lowell, LandCad, Blackistone Residue, Cainwood Landing, Mason Road Consortium or any other businesses they are encouraged to call the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Vice Narcotics Division or Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333."
According to the records of the St. Mary’s County Planning Commission, Smythington Lowell, LLC proposed and on Sept. 29, 2005, won approval of a development called Villas at Lexwood, located on Lexwood Drive in Lexington Park in 2005. The project was planned for 48 multifamily units on 3.9 acres, tax map 51, grid 8, parcel 377. The agent for the project was Douglas Brown Sr., of Braun Group International, who is reportedly the father of Daniel Jason Brown.
The Resident Agent of Smythington Lowell, LLC: Melvin Brown, 6610 Bayside Road, Chesapeake Beach, Md 20732.
On March 3, 2007, the resident agent for Smythington Lowell, LLC was changed from John A. Mattingly Jr., attorney to Melvin Brown, according to records of Maryland Dept. of Assessment and Taxation. On Aug. 12, 2003, the company was formed by John A. Mattingly, Jr. and listed the offices of Baldwin, Briscoe & Mattingly, in Lexington Park, as the offices of the limited liability company and also listed Mattingly as the resident agent as well as the person forming the company.The documents bear the name of the law firm of Baldwin, Briscoe & Mattingly. Land Cad Development Services LLC was formed as an LLC by Daniel Brown on April 24, 2007 with the purpose to be "all allowed by law" as written on the charter application by Brown and filed with state records. Blackistone Residue LLC was formed by John A. Mattingly, Jr. on June 9, 2008 and filed with the State of Maryland via a fax machine at Graydon Sears at the company’s office on Courthouse Drive in Leonardtown. Mattingly’s signature on the charter was notarized by Daniel Brown on that date. Douglas Brown Sr. is listed as the principal of a firm that has done business with Graydon Sears and Land Cad Development Services LLC, formed by Mattingly.The web site for Braun Group International portrays the firm as being an international consulting firm.
From the website of Braun Group International:
CURRICULUM VITAE
Douglas Howell Brown Sr. Senior Civil CAD Designer Construction & Development Engineering Technician Surveying and Archaeological Technician Brown evidently worked for the Navy at Pax River in the 1980’s.
"Mr. Brown was involved in the initial test and design programs for the U.S. Navy 200 ton Surface Effect Ship (SES) and the Air Cushioned Landing Craft (LCAC). These services were performed at the Surface Effect Ship Test Facilities at the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Patuxent River, Maryland, at the Naval Weapons Test Facility in Panama City, Florida and at the Bell Aerospace Textron Design Facility in Michaud New Orleans, Louisiana."
"This involvement included hands on testing of prototype equipment and methods, preparation of design drawings and specifications, testing procedures, as well as procurement logistic analysis utilizing Critical Path Methods (CPM), and calibration standards."
"One of the newest area that the Braun Group International has expanded into is the provision of property development support services to potential investors. Through partnership and close interaction with associated development entities such as LandCAD LLC, BGI provides for complete turnkey development services.
"With the maturing of the Baby Boomer generation there has been a tremendous desire for people to "know their roots!" The Braun Geneological Services Group (BGS) provides assistance with family research and documentation for families within the United States."
With the economy in a deep recession, it should be no surprise that a development firm of the stature of BGI would also begin researching family trees. Perhaps palm reading might be next, who could blame them for trying to do anything to make a buck. But that is exactly what police allege has taken place, that anything and everything has taken place, not in conformance with Maryland law.
Douglas Brown doesn’t disclose on his website that LandCad LLC was only formed in 2008. But everyone has to start somewhere.
BGI claims to have done work for many area firms including the Town of La Plata and the St. Mary’s County Government Public Works Department.
Cainwood Landing LLC was formed by Mattingly and notarized by Brown on Nov. 12, 2007. Cainwood Landing is also named by police as a topic of interest to their investigation.
Mason Road Consortium LLC was formed on July 29, 2009 by Mattingly with Daniel J. Brown listed as the resident agent. This firm has also been listed as company that police are seeking information about from the public.
The offices of Graydon Sears LLC was rented from Brenda B. Dorsey, of Leonardtown. Her husband, Walter B. Dorsey, the former States Attorney of St. Mary’s County, filed suit several months ago for back rent on the office and on Nov. 9, 2009, in District Court, judgment was entered by the court against the firm owned by Mattingly and Daniel Brown.
Mattingly said he was in a disagreement with Brown over the status of their firm and that the firm owed the money to Mrs. Dorsey and he was encouraging Brown to get the back rent paid. Dorsey simply wanted the money was not filing to evict the business. Mrs. Dorsey had to pay the taxes for two years after Graydon Sears failed to pay it as called for in their long-term lease agreement.
At this point, Mattingly has not been charged with anything and Daniel Brown has not been convicted of any the dozens of charges placed against him. Mattingly remains a candidate and as of this week, the St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Department said that States Attorney Richard Fritz has not requested a special prosecutor in the cases against Mattingly’s partner. Fritz’s name is listed on the court records as the prosecutor against Brown. Assistant States Attorney Dan White is actively leading the investigation but he still serves at the pleasure of Fritz as his job is not a merit system position.
