Thursday, May 17, 2012
Patch breaks down the investigation that led to the arrest of two men who allegedly conspired to distribute powerful painkillers to thousands of out-of-state addicts.
Police have shut down a Lutherville pain clinic amid allegations that the owners were fraudulently prescribing unreasonably high amounts of powerful painkillers to patients for non-medical reasons. The Healthy Life Medical Group, located in the 1100 block of York Road, was seeing nearly 120 patients a day and routinely prescribed the maximum allowable amount (per month) of Oxycodone, among other drugs, according to an affidavit filed in Baltimore County Circuit Court in support of a search warrant. The clinic was raided Tuesday afternoon and two of the operators have been arrested, according to Baltimore County police. Gerald Wiseberg, 78, of Boca Raton, FL, and Michael Jacob Reznikov, 51, of Brooklyn, NY, were charged with conspiring to …
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Governor calls budget package "good for all Marylanders." Republicans say burden to local governments may force county governments to increase taxes.
The Maryland House of Delegates gave final approval Wednesday to a package of three bills that increases taxes on some state residents, shifts part of teacher pensions to local governments and undoes the so-called "doomsday budget." The votes Wednesday afternoon capped the three-day special session called by Gov. Martin O'Malley in order to override more than $500 million in cuts made in a budget passed in early April. The Senate approved the same three bills Tuesday. As part of the package, legislators approved by a vote of 86-51 what amounts to a 50-50 split of teacher pension costs with local governments. The split will be phased in over the next four years beginning July 1 with the new budget year. That bill also includes a doubling of…
Additional arrests are expected.
UPDATE—Baltimore County police have identified the two individuals suspected of conspiring to distribute Schedule II narcotics out of a Lutherville pain clinic. Gerald Wiseberg, 78, of Boca Raton, FL, and Michael Jacob Reznikov, 51, of Brooklyn, NY, were arrested Tuesday evening following a raid at the Healthy Life Medical Group clinic in Lutherville. Wiseberg and Reznikov were the operators of the pain clinic, where doctors were reportedly over-prescribing powerful painkillers and other drugs to out-of-state addicts, according to an affidavit in support of a search warrant. A Baltimore County Circuit Court judge this morning set the defendants' bail at 50,000—cash only. "At this morning's preliminary hearing, the judge also prohibited …
Law enforcement officers suspect questionable practices.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Sluggish economy, skyrocketing value in metals are among the reasons for a 450 percent spike in such crime since 2009, police Chief Jim Johnson said.
Individually, the theft of copper wiring and piping from homes and businesses in Baltimore County usually amounts to little more than stealing a few dollars worth of metal. But, a closer examination of the issue finds the economic impact far worse, Baltimore County police chief Jim Johnson said. Destruction of property, business hours lost and a heightened sense of vulnerability make copper thefts one of the fastest growing problems facing the community, he added. This is why Johnson announced Monday the formation of the region's first law enforcement team dedicated to the growing problem of metals theft. The chief made the announcement at a news conference at BGE's White Marsh Learning Center to highlight the issue, as the utility is a …
The following information was supplied by the Baltimore County Police Department. In cases where a criminal charge is noted, the information provided does not indicate a conviction.
East Padonia Road, unit block, at 7:30 p.m. on May 6. Two Baltimore men were arrested for stealing three wheels with rims off of a 2012 Chevrolet Cruize LT. John Howard Goldring, 58, and Jerry Louis Cheathem, 58, were spotted fleeing the Fox Timonium Chevrolet car dealership in a silver minivan after attempting to remove tires from at least five other vehicles. The van was stopped by police on Interstate 83 southbound, just north of Pimlico Road. The stolen property was recovered by police. Both men were charged with theft (less than $1,000), attempted theft between $1,000 and $10,000, malicious destruction of property in the amount of more than $500 and burglary in the fourth degree. Additionally, Goldring was charged with driving on a …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The group allegedly smuggled cocaine into Northern Virginia, distributed drugs across the East Coast and wired money to South America
A Lutherville resident was among a large group arrested for allegedly conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine in an interstate drug trafficking ring, federal investigators said. A Vienna, VA man allegedly acted as a leader of a group that smuggled drugs into Northern Virginia and distributed it across the East Coast, and wired more than $1 million back to suppliers in Honduras over several years. Twenty-eight people were charged with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine in connection with the case, officials from the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigations announced Wednesday. Among those charged was Lutherville resident Rudy Humberto Tabaro, 30, (aka Rudy Humberto Tabara) for his …
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
New interview process aims to make the Baltimore County police more responsible, accountable for selecting its leaders.
Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson threw out a more than three-decades old promotions policy just days before a class of sergeants was to take standardized oral interviews to become lieutenants. The change comes amid a looming U.S. Department of Justice inquiry into the county's hiring and promotions practices within the police and fire departments. The change involves who interviews prospective candidates for promotion. Until now, interviews had been conducted by outside law enforcement personnel. Now, those interviews will be conducted by officials who work for Baltimore County. "I have not determined the motivation of the administration as to why this change was instituted," said Cole Weston, president of the Fraternal Order of …
Plan to fix "Doomsday Budget" includes $247 million in tax increases and elimination of exemptions for single filers earning $100,000 or more and joint filers earning $150,000 or more.
UPDATE (5:59 p.m.)—Some Maryland residents will pay more taxes in the coming year under a plan worked out between Gov. Martin O'Malley and legislative leaders. O'Malley, accompanied by House Speaker Michael Busch and Senate President Thomas V. "Mike" Miller, announced the nearly $35.8 billion plan during a Wednesday morning news conference in Annapolis to discuss the upcoming special session. "To leave this budget incomplete, to leave this budget as it stands right now, would damage the very forward motion that all of us, together, have worked so hard to achieve for our state," O'Malley said. "Progress is a choice," O'Malley said. "Job creation is a choice. Building America's number one schools, making a college education affordable, …
Monday, May 7, 2012
The following information was supplied by the Baltimore County Police Department. In cases where a criminal charge is noted, the information provided does not indicate a conviction.
West Padonia Road, 300 block, at 4:15 p.m. on May 3. A public demonstration to protest the War in Afghanistan was organized by individuals in the group "Pledge of Resistance." York Road, 1400 block, between 7:40 p.m. on May 3 and 3:30 a.m. on May 4. Loose change was stolen and front door glass was destroyed by burglars who broke into Seminary Cleaners. York Road, 1400 block, between 7:40 p.m. on May 3 and 3:30 a.m. on May 4. About $435 were stolen from Galleria Deli. Burglars broke the front door glass to get inside. Two cash registers were emptied. Burglars also stole the "tip jar." Editor's Note: The above mentioned businesses are located next door to each other. Police believe the two burglaries are related. West Seminary Avenue, 500 …
Tim
3:32 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Dennis: Socially liberal doesn't neccessarily require fiscally liberal. My fiscal views are much closer to the middle. I realize and understand that taxation is required in many cases. As I noted (maybe here? if not on another tax topic) it's the reckless taxation from O'Malley that really gets me as a moderate. It's the same reason I can't get behind the Republicans of today - they refuse to … more ›