Woman Wanting to Make Fast Buck loses $6,000
WALDORF — Charles County Sheriff’s Office have alerted citizens in Southern Maryland of fraudsters after a 44-year-old Clinton woman fell prey last month in Waldorf.
The Sheriff’s office said on Dec. 12 at about 2 pm, a woman approached the victim with a wallet outside a store in the 2900 block of Festival Way. She told the victim she found the wallet in front of the store. They opened it and found it contained some type of foreign currency.
In the meantime, a second woman, the scammer’s accomplice, lurking in the shadows approached the first scammer and the victim and began discussing the wallet.
One of the two scammers decided to take the money to a friend at another nearby store who would know how to proceed, while the victim and the other woman remained outside.
She returned with advice from her friend, who said each of the
three women should go to their respective banks and withdraw money that
would be used to convert the foreign currency.
The gullible victim was told all three women would benefit by about three times the amount they originally contributed. The victim withdrew $6,000 from her bank and provided it to the other women, who never returned with her $18,000 share.
She reported the incident to the Sheriff’s Office Waldorf District Station, less than four hours later.
In other versions of this scam that have been reported elsewhere, the
scammers have posed as missionaries and people with foreign dilemmas, generally lurking about retail establishments.
The Sheriff’s office warned the public of a plethora of mail and e-mail scams in which seemingly genuine checks are sent out and victims asked to deposit them in their bank account, withdraw a part of the amount and send it through money order.
”In most cases, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is,” the Sheriff’s office, repeated the popular refrain.
Financial crimes detectives are also asking anyone who believes they have become a victim of this scam or who has information about the scams occurring to call them at 301-609-6496.
DC Area Gang of Four Held After High Speed Chase
DUNKIRK — A gang of four blacks, including a female and a juvenile, allegedly involved in a two-day spate of burglaries and vandalism in Owings, were nabbed by joint units from the Maryland State Police and the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office after a car chase.
Law-enforcement responded to a suspicious vehicle call on Cedar Wood Dr., in Dunkirk two days in a row on Wednesday. On arrival the units observed the suspect vehicle, a silver Dodge Ram Conversation Van, and brief vehicle pursuit ensued.
The vehicle eventually stopped and all four occupants tried to flee on foot but were apprehended and transported to the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office to be interviewed by members of CIT.
After questioning, Amber Rochelle Edmonds, 19, Ronald Paul Greenfield, 25, Andre Clark, 24, all three from Capitol Heights and a 13 year old juvenile from SE Washington DC were charged with two counts of 1st degree burglary and two counts of destruction of property.
The adults were sent to the Calvert County Detention Center.
Comptroller’s Agents Nail
Two in Butt Bust
ANNAPOLIS — Two Oriental suspects from Virginia were arrested as agents of Field Enforcement Bureau seized 24,569 packs of illegal cigarettes during a joint, multi-jurisdictional investigation this past weekend.
The value of the cigarettes confiscated is about a 100 thousand dollars, milking the state of $24,569, Comptroller William Donald Schaefer today announced on Tuesday.
The suspects were identified as Hui Zheng, 47, of Midlothian, Va. and Xiou-Nan Guo, 42, also of Midlothian. Cash totalling $1,112.and the vehicle transporting the illegal cigarettes were confiscated. According to details, the bust was made on Saturday, Jan. 7, around 9:30 am when the Comptroller’s agents stopped a 2005 Toyota Tundra traveling north on I-95, through Havre de Grace, in Harford County.
A joint investigation involving federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Groups 1 & 2, from Richmond, Va., the Richmond City Police Department, as well as the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division conducted the bust.
The two were charged with the transportation of untaxed cigarettes, a felony that carries a two-year jail sentence, $50 per carton fine, or both. In this case, the potential fine is $122,845 for each individual. Both individuals are also charged with unlawful possession of untaxed cigarettes, a misdemeanor that carries a one-year jail sentence, $1,000 fine, or both.
So far in fiscal year 2006, the Comptroller’s enforcement agents have arrested 73 people for tobacco violations, seized cigarettes valued at more than $568,500, representing a tax loss to the state of more than $77,000.

Physicians, Pharmacists got French Trips in Serono Scam
ANNAPOLIS — Maryland joined with 41 other States and the District of Columbia in a $262 million dollar settlement of State Medicaid fraud claims against Serono, S.A., a Swiss Corporation, Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced. Serono S.A. is the manufacturer of Serostim, a drug approved to treat HIV wasting, an AIDS-related syndrome. The fraud involved paying illegal kickbacks to pharmacists and physicians in an effort to increase sales of Serostim. The kickbacks included payments and travel expenses, including trips to Cannes, France.
The settlement was negotiated by representatives of the Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorneys Office in Boston, the Office of the Inspector General of Health and Human Services and the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units (NAMFCU) which represented the State Medicaid Fraud Control Units in the negotiations.
Serono, S.A. together with its U.S. subsidiaries and related entities agreed to pay a total of $704 million dollars to resolve criminal charges and civil liabilities in connection with these illegal schemes to promote, market and sell Serostim.
The drug company operates in the United States through its affiliates Serono Inc. and Serono Laboratories, Inc., based in Rockland, Massachusetts.
As part of the settlement, the State of Maryland’s Medicaid program will receive a total of $922,915.00 to address Serono’s conduct in marketing Serostim. State Medicaid programs paid claims for the drug between 1997 and 2004 that were not eligible for reimbursement because they were generated by the use of unapproved testing devices, were for unapproved uses, or were induced by kickbacks. Medicaid programs are federally and state funded.
The settlement sum consists of a $136.9 million criminal fine and $567 million,
including the $262 million state recovery, for total federal/state Medicaid damages.
Serono Laboratories agreed to plead guilty to using unapproved software in connection with tests to determine patients’ need for Serostim. The states alleged that the software was intended to result in greater utilization of the drug.
As a result of its criminal conviction, Serono Laboratories will be excluded from all federal healthcare programs for at least five years. Serostim will remain eligible for reimbursement by state Medicaid programs.
Serostim is approved by the FDA to treat AIDS wasting syndrome, which is marked by the involuntary loss of significant body weight and chronic weakness and other forms of cachexia, a wasting away of body fat and muscle caused by disease. The drug cost Medicaid programs approximately $6,000 per month per patient. The suggested course of treatment is three months, but many patients have used Serostim much longer.
This global federal and state settlement is a result of a suit filed in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maryland in 2000 by a former Serono employee.



Two Fugitives, Both 20, Held with Cocaine
OWINGS — On January 10 at 2:11 in the morning, DFC. J.M. McCarroll and TFC. Koch initiated an investigation regarding two wanted persons. The officers obtained information that two persons, David C. McDonald, 20, of Owings and Michael A. Flaherty, 20, of Edgewater, were in a vehicle on Grover’s Turn Road in Owings. After verifying that the two were wanted on open warrants, the officers began a surveillance of the area and then observed the vehicle they were reported driving. They stopped the vehicle and contacted the occupants, who were identified as McDonald and Flaherty. The two were immediately placed under arrest for the open warrants. A search of the vehicle, incident to arrest, revealed suspected cocaine. Each of the subjects were charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and transported to the Calvert County Detention Center.
Early Morning Loot at Windsors EZ Stop
PRINCE FREDERICK — A man was robbed in the parking lot of Windsors EZ Stop located at 1701 Dares Beach Road in Prince Frederick early in the morning. According to details, on January 9 at approximately 7: 42 am, patrol units from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police – Prince Frederick Barrack responded to the Windsors EZ Stop located at 1701 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, Calvert for a reported armed robbery. A victim said he was approached in the parking lot by three black males wearing parka style jackets with fur hoods. The suspects displayed a handgun and demanded money from the victim. The suspects fled the scene in a black 1990’s Nissan Sentra 4 Door. The car has tinted windows and chrome spoke style aftermarket rims.
Woman Motel Clerk, 44, Shown Knife, Robbed
WALDORF — On Jan. 9 at 3:15 a.m., a man knocked on the door of Master Suites at 2228 Old Washington Road in Waldorf and the clerk, a 44-year-old Waldorf woman, let the man in. The man brandished a knife and demanded money from the register. The clerk complied and the man stole an undisclosed amount of money from the register. He then asked where the safe was. The clerk showed him and told him she was unable to open it. Another man then knocked on the door and the first suspect ordered the clerk to let him in. When the clerk said she would have to walk to the door to let him in, the first man fled the business with the second man. The two men fled in a vehicle. They are described as two black males wearing black jackets and ski masks over their faces. Anyone having information about this incident, please contact 301-932-7777.
K9 Point to Snow Owl Place After Wawa Robbery
WALDORF — On Jan. 9 at 1 a.m., a man entered Wawa at 11505 Berry Road in Waldorf and asked the clerk, a 19-year-old Bryans Road man, for change. The clerk complied. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man demanded the money in the register. The clerk complied and the man fled the business with an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect is described as a black male, 5 feet 9 inches tall. He was wearing blue jeans, a black jacket and a bandana. A K9 team responded and conducted a track, which ended at Snow Owl Place. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff’s Office at 301-932-7777.
Purse Robbed: Forced Entry
Into Home of Senior Woman
WALDORF — A robber barged into the home of a senior citizen, stole her purse and fled. According to details, on Jan. 9 at 12:32 am, a suspect forced entry into a residence in the 3000 block of Palmer Place and demanded money from a 71-year-old woman. When the woman told the suspect she had no money, he took her purse and fled the scene. A K9 team responded and checked the area with negative results. The suspect is described as a black male who is 6 feet 4 inches tall with a medium build. He was wearing all black clothing. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff’s Office at 301-932-7777.
Man on Medications Reported Missing
WALDORF: A man on high medications left his residence in the morning of Jan. 8 at 9 pm but did not return home, said Charles County Sheriff’s officers. They said they responded to a residence in the 12600 block of Council Oak Drive in Waldorf and were told Rickie Fernando Mathis, 48, was missing. Mathis is on several medications which he does not have with him. He is described as a black male with black hair and brown eyes. He is 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighs 200 pounds and wears black eyeglasses. He was last seen wearing a long-sleeved brown plaid shirt and green khaki pants. He is believed to be driving a black 1998 Toyota Tacoma with Maryland bay tags 42720BY and a large white scratch on the driver’s side. Anyone with information may please contact 301-932-7777.
Daylight Robbery at Five Below by Clean-shaven Black
WALDORF — In a daring daylight robbery, a man entered the Five Below at 3073 Waldorf Market Place in Waldorf, implied he had a gun and demanded money from the clerk. The clerk complied and the man then ordered him to lie on the floor. According to Charles County Sheriff’s officers they responded to an armed robbery On Jan. 7 at 10:38 am, but were told the suspect fled toward Western Parkway with an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect is described as a dark-complexion black male between 18 and 25 years of age and 5 feet 7 inches tall. He is clean shaven and was wearing a black knit hat and a black zip-up jacket and carrying a green and black duffle bag. Anyone with information, please contact 301-609-6513.
Booze
WHITE PLAINS — On Jan. 7 at 2:20 a.m., Charles County Sheriff’s officers responded to White Plains Wine and Spirits at 4425 Crain Highway in White Plains on an intrusion alarm. Investigation revealed suspect(s) forced entry to the business, stole an undisclosed amount of money and liquor and fled. Anyone with information please contact 301-932-2222.
Pistols, Shotguns, Assault Rifles Stolen From Home
INDIAN HEAD — Sometime between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Jan. 6, unknown suspects entered a residence in the 5500 block of Winston Vines Place in Indian Head and stole a firearms cache containing pistols, shotguns and assault rifles. Anyone with information please contact 301-743-2222.
S. Carolina Couple in Stolenn Car Rob Wal-Mart
WALDORF — A South Carolina couple who allegedly robbed the Wal-Mart in Waldorf and tried to flee in a stolen car were apprehended after a hot pursuit in Prince George’s County. On Jan. 6 at 1:30 am, Charles County Sheriff’s officers responded to Wal-Mart at 11930 Acton Lane in Waldorf for attempted break in into the business through a back door. Officers found a vehicle parked behind the business but when they attempted to approach the vehicle, it sped off. Cpl. T. Huntt attempted to conduct a traffic stop but the driver did not stop and a chase ensued. Other officers searched Wal-Mart and found it had been broken into and items were stolen. Meanwhile, the chase continued into Prince George’s County but the driver stopped on Hickory Bend Road after his vehicle broke down. Officers apprehended the driver, Paul O’Keeffe Gough, 40, and the passenger, Teresa Michelle Watts, 25, both of Anderson, South Carolina. The vehicle had been reported stolen in Anderson. Gough and Watts were charged with second degree burglary. They were sent to the Charles County Detention Center.
 

Sisterly Trio Who Milked Auto Insurance Plead Guilty
ANNAPOLIS — Three sisters who milked Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF) of over $65,000. between 1994 and 2003 have plead guilty, Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran announced on Tuesday.
The three sisters Jane Gnacyk, 46, of New Cut Rd. in Severed, Mary Ellen Webster, 37, of Wise Avenue in Pasadena and Linda Lunghi, 35, of Freedom Drive, Glen Burnie.
The trio, indicted earlier, all pled guilty before the Anne Arundel Circuit Court.
Gnacyk, who worked as an Adjuster in the Claims Department had authority to approve claims for payment and to issue payments to claimants without obtaining a
supervisor’s approval.
In processing claims filed in legitimate accidents, Gnacyk would fraudulently add to MAIF’s computerized loss records the names of fictitious claimants, and then turn around and issue payments or drafts to these phantom claimants, using names identical or similar to those of her sisters, their husbands and their children.
She never exceeded her authorization limits, so no eyebrows were raised.
She did this 24 times, in 11 accident files.
Fifteen of the checks were in the names matching that of co-defendant Linda Lunghi, Michael Lunghi, Linda’s husband, or their minor children. The Lunghi payments totaled nearly $43,000.
Seven of the fraudulent drafts were issued in the names matching that co-defendant Mary Ellen Webster or her minor children. The Webster payments totaled nearly $20,000.
The two remaining fraudulent payments were issued by Gnacyk in the names of
non-existent people for another $5,000.
Maryland State Police assisted in the investigation after the scheme was uncovered by MAIF as a result of an internal audit.
Sentencing is set for March 3, 2006.

Papa John Pizza Driver robbed at Gunpoint
PRINCE FREDERICK — A Papa John’s Pizza deliveryman was robbed at gunpoint on January 9 at approximately 7:00 p.m. The deliveryman was on a return trip to Papa John’s after delivering a pizza and had stopped at Windsor’s Market on Dares Beach Road in Prince Frederick. After getting out of his car, he was approached by three black men in ski masks who pointed a gun at him and demanded his money. The victim complied and the suspects fled the scene. The CIT Division will be handling the investigation.