Former Prince George’s councilor to serve a year in prison for theft and perjury

Former Prince George’s County Councilman Jamel Franklin was sentenced to a year in prison Wednesday during a court hearing in Anne Arundel County for embezzling campaign funds to support a lavish lifestyle.

The sentence, handed down by Judge Mark Crooks, came after Franklin admitted to misusing more than $130,000 in donations intended for his re-election campaigns.

Just before the sentencing, Franklin expressed deep regret and apologized for his actions over the past decade.

Judge Crooks ordered him to report to jail the day after Thanksgiving, followed by three years of probation.

During the hearing, Franklin’s attorney, Bruce Marcus, argued for leniency, citing his client’s contributions to Prince George’s County as a councilman and attorney.

Marcus stated that Franklin’s career and law license has already been lost and shared Franklin’s intentions to start a business to support his two children.

However, the prosecution successfully argued for a one-year prison sentence, describing Franklin as a “sophisticated and determined criminal” who “should have known better” as a lawyer and public servant.

Court documents revealed Franklin used campaign funds for personal expenses from 2020 to 2023including international and domestic travel, hotel stays, restaurant bills, cosmetic procedures, shopping trips and rental payments. Prosecutors said he falsified reports to the State Board of Elections to cover up the expenses.

Judge Crooks stressed that Wednesday’s sentencing was aimed at restoring public confidence and showing the public that there are real consequences to this type of criminal behaviour.