Thomas L. Bromwell
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| Thomas L. Bromwell | |
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State Senate District 8
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| In office 1983 – May 24, 2002 |
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| Succeeded by | John R. Schneider |
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Delegate District 9
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| In office 1979 – 1983 |
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| Born | March 9, 1949 Baltimore, Maryland |
| Political party | Democratic |
Thomas L. Bromwell (born March 9, 1949) is a former Democratic State Senator in Maryland, United States.
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[edit] Background
Bromwell was first elected to the Maryland House of Delegates 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%.[1]. In 1990, Bromwell won a closer election, this time defeating Republican William Rush, 54% to 46%.[2] The general election in 1994 was similar to 1990. This time Bromwell defeated Republican John J. Bishop with 55% of the vote to Bishop's 45%.[3] In 1998, Bromwell again faced William Rush, however, this time he handily defeated his Republican challenger by capturing 68% of the vote to Rush's 32%.[4]
Bromwell resigned his seat in 2002 to head the Maryland Injured Workers' Insurance Fund or IWIF, a state agency.[5] Governor Parris Glendening appointed John R. Schneider to replace Bromwell in District 8.[6] However, Schneider passed away only 2 months after his appointment. Governor Glendening then appointed Joseph T. Ferraracci to the seat.[7] However, Ferraracci did not run for election in 2002. Katherine A. Klausmeier ran for the seat as a Democrat and won.[8]
[edit] Education
Bromwell attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. 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.
[edit] 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.[9]
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, and free or discounted construction at his residence from Stoffregen.[10] 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.[11]
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.[12]
On July 20th, Bromwell pleaded guilty to taking bribes, filing a false tax return, and racketeering conspiracy. At the time, it was expected that he could be sentenced to up to 8 years in prison.[13] There has been some criticism of First Mariner Bancorp because they continue to maintain Bromwell as a member of the Board of Directors.[14]
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. [15]
[edit] References
- ^ Maryland State Board of Elections[1]
- ^ Maryland State Board of Elections[2]
- ^ Maryland State Board of Elections[3]
- ^ Maryland State Board of Elections[4]
- ^ Washington Post[5]
- ^ Maryland Archives[6]
- ^ Maryland Archives[Joseph T. Ferraracci]
- ^ Maryland State Board of Elections[7]
- ^ Maryland Archives[8]
- ^ Washington Post[9]
- ^ Baltimore Sun[10]
- ^ United State Department of Justice[11]
- ^ Baltimore Examiner[12]
- ^ Baltimore Sun[13]
- ^ WBAL.com[14]
