Former Del. Vaughn Gets 4 Years in Prison for Role in Prince George’s Liquor Scandal

Former delegate Michael L. Vaughn (D-Prince George’s) was sentenced Tuesday to four years in federal prison for his role in a bribery conspiracy case involving the county liquor industry.

U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis handed down the sentence, which included three years of supervised released for Vaughn following his prison term. A jury convicted Vaughn of conspiracy and four counts of bribery on March 1, following a two-week trial.

Michael L. Vaughn

During the sentencing Tuesday, the government also presented evidence that Vaughn had stolen more than $100,000 in campaign funds over an 11-year period and used them for personal expenses.

“We expect our elected officials to place the interests of the citizens above their own,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur in a statement. “When they violate the trust placed in them and break the law, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will bring them to justice.”

According to evidence presented at trial, Vaughn, who served in the legislature from 2003 to 2017, conspired with former Prince George’s County Liquor Board member and later chief liquor inspector David Dae Sok Son and several liquor store owners. Vaughn took $19,000 in cash bribe payments in exchange for influencing and voting on a bill in the legislature that would establish Sunday liquor sales in the county.

Vaughn at the time was serving on the House Economic Matters Committee, which oversees the liquor industry in the state.

The same scandal also ensnared former delegate William A. Campos (D-Prince George’s), who was sentenced in May to 4 1/2 years in prison for taking bribes over a seven-year period.

[email protected]

Republish