FORMER UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEE CHARGED WITH THEFT

Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today the filing of criminal charges against Romain Kim Johnson, 42, of Race Track Road in Bowie, for her misuse of University of Maryland credit cards in 2005. Johnson, who worked as a clerk in the University’s Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, charged thousands of dollars of personal purchases on her university credit cards, which had been entrusted to her for the sole purpose of making purchases on behalf of the University. Instead, she used the cards to purchase several computers and related equipment, cell phones, automobile repair expenses, private school tuition, speeding ticket fees, clothing, and apartment rental charges.

Specifically, Johnson is charged with the following crimes: Felony Theft (15 year maximum, $25,000 fine), Misdemeanor Theft (18 months, $500 fine), and False Entry in Public Records ( 3 years, $1,000). The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Arraignment is set in Prince George’s County Circuit Court for March 10, 2006.

The case was referred to the Criminal Investigations Division of the Attorney General’s Office by the University of Maryland, whose Campus Police had investigated the matter on a tip from the University’s Purchasing Department.