FORMER SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS INDICTED FOR THEFT

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today the indictment of R. Pamela Mitchell, 50, and Helene Pendleton, 45, former employees of the Baltimore City Department of Social Services (“DSS”), for felony theft and conspiracy. The charges, which were filed by the Baltimore City Grand Jury, allege that the defendants stole money from DSS in the form of fraudulent overtime requests. Mitchell resides on Holgate Drive in Essex, and Pendleton lives in the 2900 block of Erdman Avenue in Baltimore.

The case was investigated by the Inspector General’s Office of the State Department of Human Resources and the Maryland State Police. It will be prosecuted by the Criminal Investigations Division of the Attorney General’s Office.

Although an indictment is just an allegation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the maximum penalty for felony theft and conspiracy is 15 years imprisonment and a $1,000 fine.

An arraignment date has been set for June 3, 2004 in the Baltimore City Circuit Court.

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