By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO
Former Prince George’s County Councilman Mel Franklin pleaded guilty to felony theft scheme over $100,000 and perjury Aug. 26 after prosecutors determined that he had stolen money from his own campaign fund.
According to prosecutors, Mel Franklin allegedly took more than $124,000 from his Friends of Mel Franklin campaign account and used the money, without legal authority, to pay for his personal use and benefit, including loans, credit card debt, rent and cosmetic procedures.
He has also been charged with falsifying reports to the state board of elections regarding expenditures. As part of the plea, Franklin agreed to a sentence of five years, with all but one year suspended, on both counts. The sentences will run concurrently. In addition, he agreed to pay $133,000 in restitution to the campaign. That money will go to a charitable organization.
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