TWO FORMER MTA EMPLOYEES
CHARGED WITH STEALING OVER $100,000

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today the filing of multiple theft and conspiracy charges against Deitra Sharp, 36, and Pauline Cole, 40, two former employees of the Maryland Transit Administration.

Cole, of the 4000 block of Nicholas Avenue in Baltimore, and Sharp, of the 2000 block of Edison Highway in Baltimore, were charged with stealing insurance checks from the MTA’s Transit Insurance Group, the State Treasurer’s Office, the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund, and five private insurance companies (GEICO, Penn National, Nationwide, Allstate, and State Farm). The thefts are alleged to have occurred over a three year period between 1997 and 2001, when they were discovered and the two individuals were fired. The total amount alleged to have been stolen was $109,186.66.

Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 135 years in prison and fines of $9,000, as well as court ordered restitution. The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Arraignment on the charges has been set for March 13, 2003 in Baltimore City Circuit Court.

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