Former Prince George’s County Council member Mel Franklin pleads guilty to felony theft scheme, perjury

MARYLAND ( DC News Now ) — Former Prince George’s County Council member Mel Franklin pleaded guilty on Monday to perjury and stealing over $100,000 from his campaign fund for personal use, according to the Office of the Maryland State Prosecutor.

According to prosecutors, Franklin admitted to stealing more than $124,000 from the “Friends of Mel Franklin” campaign from 2020 through October 2023 to pay for the upkeep of his vehicle, personal loans, credit card debt, rent, personal subscriptions, international trips and cosmetics procedures for himself and a close friend.

Franklin had established the campaign in 2009 to raise funds for his election to the Prince George’s County Council, and the funds were not allowed to be used for personal use.

The Office of the State Prosecutor said Franklin also admitted to concealing his use of campaign funds and falsifying information on campaign reports that he signed under penalties of perjury and submitted to the State Board of Elections.

“Elected officials should be held accountable if they violate the public trust and exploit the Maryland electoral process for personal financial gain,” said State Prosecutor Howard. “I’m proud of our office’s hard work in uncovering this extensive fraud.”

Franklin served as District 9 Council Member from 2010 to 2018 and was the at-large Council Member representing Prince George’s County from 2018 through June of this year. Franklin resigned on June 14, days before he faced charges.

The county is conducting a special election to fill the vacant seat on Nov. 5.

The county held the special election primary on Aug. 6. Jolene Ivey won the Democratic primary, and Republican Michael Riker took the spot for Republicans.

The court will sentence Franklin on Nov. 13 at 1:30 p.m.

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