Thomas L. Bromwell
Encyclopedia
Thomas L. Bromwell is a former Democratic
state senator in Maryland
, United States.
in 1979 to represent District 9 in Baltimore County and Baltimore City. In 1983, he successfully ran for the seat of District 8 in the Maryland State Senate
. In 1986, Bromwell defeated Republican challenger Edward J. Glusing Jr., 73% to 27%. In 1990, Bromwell won a closer election, this time defeating Republican William Rush, 54% to 46%. The general election in 1994 was similar to 1990, and Bromwell defeated Republican John J. Bishop with 55% of the vote to Bishop's 45%. In 1998, Bromwell again faced William Rush, this time handily defeating his Republican challenger by capturing 68% of the vote to Rush's 32%.
Bromwell resigned his seat in 2002 to head the Maryland Injured Workers' Insurance Fund or IWIF, a state agency. Governor Parris Glendening
appointed John R. Schneider
to replace Bromwell in District 8. Schneider died only two months after his appointment, and Governor Glendening then appointed Joseph T. Ferraracci
to the seat. However, Ferraracci did not run for election in 2002. Katherine A. Klausmeier
ran for the seat as a Democrat and won.
. After high school, he received his Associates Degree in Business from Essex Community College, now known as one of the campuses of the Community Colleges of Baltimore County, in 1972.
In addition to Bromwell's political career, he also owned and managed a construction company, Dallas Construction. In 2001, Federal prosecutors began secretly taping conversations with Bromwell when they suspected he was involved in racketeering. Bromwell paid the property manager of the Candler Building
over $6000 to direct contract work to his company, Dallas Construction. In addition, Bromwell then directed work and benefits to W. David Stoffregen and his company, Poole and Kent. Bromwell reportedly received over $190,000 free construction at his million dollar shore front residence from Stoffregen. The case against Bromwell also indicated that he may have used his political power and influence to help get work for such projects as M&T Bank Stadium
and a new juvenile detention center.
During the trial, Bromwell had more than one attorney. One of the lawyers fought to have some of the tapings removed from evidence. The recordings included Bromwell's profanity-ridden racial and sexual epithets, including barbs against the Lieutenant Governor.
In 2005, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Bromwell, his wife Mary Patricia Bromwell, and Stoffregen. The claim of the lawsuit was that Bromwell's "Alleged Purpose of Scheme Was to Influence Thomas Bromwell
in His Official Capacity as a Maryland State Senator". The 30-count indictment included conspiring to violation the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
, wire fraud
, mail fraud, and extortion
.
On October 31, 2005, Bromwell pleaded not-guilty to all charges. It was expected that he could be sentenced to up to 8 years in prison if found guilty. There was some criticism of First Mariner Bancorp because they continued to maintain Bromwell as a member of the Board of Directors.
On November 16, 2007, Thomas Bromwell was sentenced to 7 years in prison by U.S. District Court Judge J. Frederick Motz
. Meanwhile, Bromwell's wife was sentenced to a year and a day for collecting money for her no-show job.
It has been suggested that aspects of Bromwell's political career served, in part, as inspiration for the fictional Maryland
State Senator Clay Davis
, from HBO's The Wire
.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
state senator in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, United States.
Background
Bromwell was first elected to the Maryland House of DelegatesMaryland House of Delegates
The Maryland House of Delegates is the lower house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland, and is composed of 141 Delegates elected from 47 districts. The House chamber is located in the state capitol building on State Circle in Annapolis...
in 1979 to represent District 9 in Baltimore County and Baltimore City. In 1983, he successfully ran for the seat of District 8 in the Maryland State Senate
Maryland State Senate
The Maryland Senate, sometimes referred to as the Maryland State Senate, is the upper house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland...
. In 1986, Bromwell defeated Republican challenger Edward J. Glusing Jr., 73% to 27%. In 1990, Bromwell won a closer election, this time defeating Republican William Rush, 54% to 46%. The general election in 1994 was similar to 1990, and Bromwell defeated Republican John J. Bishop with 55% of the vote to Bishop's 45%. In 1998, Bromwell again faced William Rush, this time handily defeating his Republican challenger by capturing 68% of the vote to Rush's 32%.
Bromwell resigned his seat in 2002 to head the Maryland Injured Workers' Insurance Fund or IWIF, a state agency. Governor Parris Glendening
Parris Glendening
Parris Nelson Glendening , a member of the United States Democratic Party, was the 59th Governor of Maryland from January 18, 1995 to January 15, 2003...
appointed John R. Schneider
John R. Schneider
John R. Schneider is a former Democrat State Senator in Maryland, United States.-Background:John Schneider was appointed to the position of State Senator for District 8, which covers portions of Baltimore County and Baltimore City, by former Maryland Governor Parris Glendening when Thomas L...
to replace Bromwell in District 8. Schneider died only two months after his appointment, and Governor Glendening then appointed Joseph T. Ferraracci
Joseph T. Ferraracci
Joseph T. Ferraracci is a former Democrat State Senator in Maryland, United States.-Background:Joseph T. Ferraracci was appointed to the position of State Senator for District 8, which covers portions of Baltimore County and Baltimore City, by former Maryland Governor Parris Glendening when John...
to the seat. However, Ferraracci did not run for election in 2002. Katherine A. Klausmeier
Katherine A. Klausmeier
Katherine A. "Kathy" Klausmeier is a Democratic politician from Maryland. She is currently serving in the Maryland State Senate and is a member of the Senate Finance Committee. She was first elected as a Delegate in 1994, and as a State Senator in 2002...
ran for the seat as a Democrat and won.
Education
Bromwell attended Baltimore Polytechnic InstituteBaltimore Polytechnic Institute
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute is a US public high school founded in 1883. Though established as an all-male trade school,it now is a institution that emphasizes mathematics, the sciences, and engineering. It is located on a tract of land in North Baltimore at Falls Road and Cold Spring Lane,...
. After high school, he received his Associates Degree in Business from Essex Community College, now known as one of the campuses of the Community Colleges of Baltimore County, in 1972.
Career
Bromwell served a long and noted career in the Maryland State Senate. He was the chair of many committees over his career including the Finance Committee from 1995–2002, Workers' Compensation Benefit and Insurance Oversight Committee from 1987–1994, State Senate Rules Committee from 1991–1995, and the Baltimore County Delegation from 1985-1994.In addition to Bromwell's political career, he also owned and managed a construction company, Dallas Construction. In 2001, Federal prosecutors began secretly taping conversations with Bromwell when they suspected he was involved in racketeering. Bromwell paid the property manager of the Candler Building
Candler Building
The Candler Building is a highrise at 127 Peachtree Street, NE, in Atlanta, Georgia. When completed in 1906 by Coca-Cola magnate Asa Griggs Candler, it was the tallest building in the city...
over $6000 to direct contract work to his company, Dallas Construction. In addition, Bromwell then directed work and benefits to W. David Stoffregen and his company, Poole and Kent. Bromwell reportedly received over $190,000 free construction at his million dollar shore front residence from Stoffregen. The case against Bromwell also indicated that he may have used his political power and influence to help get work for such projects as M&T Bank Stadium
M&T Bank Stadium
M&T Bank Stadium is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Baltimore, Maryland. It is the home of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. The stadium is immediately adjacent to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the home of the Baltimore Orioles. Served by the Hamburg Street station of...
and a new juvenile detention center.
During the trial, Bromwell had more than one attorney. One of the lawyers fought to have some of the tapings removed from evidence. The recordings included Bromwell's profanity-ridden racial and sexual epithets, including barbs against the Lieutenant Governor.
In 2005, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Bromwell, his wife Mary Patricia Bromwell, and Stoffregen. The claim of the lawsuit was that Bromwell's "Alleged Purpose of Scheme Was to Influence Thomas Bromwell
in His Official Capacity as a Maryland State Senator". The 30-count indictment included conspiring to violation the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as the RICO Act or simply RICO, is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization...
, wire fraud
Wire fraud
Mail and wire fraud is a federal crime in the United States. Together, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341, 1343, and 1346 reach any fraudulent scheme or artifice to intentionally deprive another of property or honest services with a nexus to mail or wire communication....
, mail fraud, and extortion
Extortion
Extortion is a criminal offence which occurs when a person unlawfully obtains either money, property or services from a person, entity, or institution, through coercion. Refraining from doing harm is sometimes euphemistically called protection. Extortion is commonly practiced by organized crime...
.
On October 31, 2005, Bromwell pleaded not-guilty to all charges. It was expected that he could be sentenced to up to 8 years in prison if found guilty. There was some criticism of First Mariner Bancorp because they continued to maintain Bromwell as a member of the Board of Directors.
On November 16, 2007, Thomas Bromwell was sentenced to 7 years in prison by U.S. District Court Judge J. Frederick Motz
J. Frederick Motz
J. Frederick Motz is a United States federal judge.Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Motz received an A.B. from Wesleyan University in 1964 and an LL.B. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1967. He was a law clerk, Hon. Harrison L. Winter, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit from 1967 to...
. Meanwhile, Bromwell's wife was sentenced to a year and a day for collecting money for her no-show job.
It has been suggested that aspects of Bromwell's political career served, in part, as inspiration for the fictional Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
State Senator Clay Davis
Clay Davis
State Senator R. Clayton "Clay" Davis is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Isiah Whitlock, Jr. Davis is a corrupt Maryland State Senator with a reputation for pocketing bribes...
, from HBO's The Wire
The WIRE
the WIRE is the student-run College radio station at the University of Oklahoma, broadcasting in a freeform format. The WIRE serves the University of Oklahoma and surrounding communities, and is staffed by student DJs. The WIRE broadcasts at 1710 kHz AM in Norman, Oklahoma...
.
External links
- http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/05sen/former/html/msa12134.html