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For Your Information
It is easy to violate the Maryland wiretap statue. Having a Ring
Doorbell or similar device that records both video and audio upon
automatic activation without a warning of the audio recording, puts you
in violation of a Maryland felony wiretap law violation. There is a need
for a change in the Maryland statue to require criminal intent for
prosecution
This November, I am running for Mayor of Chesapeake
Beach. Therefore, I want to inform those who may not know of an incident
that happened to me in the late quarter of 2018. I learned from it,
regret it, and I apologize; nevertheless, a few good things evolved as a
result. What happened is as follows:
I installed a widely
available telephone app on my cell phone. In lieu of writing notes, I
recorded from July to November 2018 to remember telephone conversations
while I was on the go. I did not record to seize personal information,
which is typically thought of as wiretapping. Furthermore, I had neither
criminal nor malicious intent or purpose. Of the 275 reported calls,
many were in legal jurisdictions outside Maryland, and most were to
friends and family. None of the calls were shared - other than the one
call that was the cause of a complaint. Nevertheless, my action was a
violation of Maryland law. I acknowledged, and I regret breaking that
law. To be specific, the very brief, recorded conversation was in an
effort to save the loss of the library in Chesapeake Beach. I addressed
a procedural question regarding why the library was not automatically
relocated back in Chesapeake Beach after North Beach reneged on their
proposal following the deadline for submission. I chose to share the
recorded conversation with a council member and the town administrator
because the message was succinct and clear to prove a point. In
addition, afterwards, the person recorded was not the complainant. Mayor
Pat Mahoney, who was not at all involved, reported this recorded
telephone conversation to the States Attorney, and Mahoney pursued the
complaint.
I was completely cooperative with law enforcement and
the States Attorney, and I accepted responsibility. I am grateful that
the Maryland States Attorney agreed to recommend probation before
judgement (PBJ). In Maryland, a PBJ is not a conviction. I was given a
fine in lieu of community service, since, for nearly all my life, I have
been involved in community service.
My career of public service
began in high school. I co-founded and launched the Prince George’s
county Hotline and Suicide Prevention Center, a program that continues
to operate today. From those efforts, I was appointed to the advisory
board of the Prince George’s County Mental Health Department Mental
Health Unit, I volunteered as a member of my local volunteer fire
department as a firefighter and served on the rescue squad while also
working as technician in the emergency room at Prince George’s Hospital.
After that, I served 27 years as a law enforcement officer, having
retired as a detective sergeant/first sergeant. I served 19 years
honorably as an elected official serving as your town councilman in
Chesapeake Beach, President of the Maryland Municipal League, and
President of the Southern Maryland Municipal Association. I have served
on numerous Boards. I received certificates of appreciation for
dedicated service, governor citations, commander’s awards, recognition
for meritorious service, recognition for demonstrated valor, and
Maryland House and Senate Awards. I will continue to serve my community.
I offer my record for your comparisons for Mayor of Chesapeake Beach. I
hope that I will not be shadowed by a single mistake committed outside
of character. Because I am a person with a lifetime of honorable and
dedicated service to our community, I hope you will give me your vote
for Mayor of Chesapeake Beach in the November 3, 2020, Town Election
held at Town Hall. I want to continue serving our community, open and
honest with honor and dignity bringing about results “you can see” and
appreciate.
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