Former Construction Manager Convicted in
Attorney General’s Corruption Investigation at UMBC

BALTIMORE, MD (November 19, 2008) - Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that a seventh individual has been convicted in the ongoing corruption investigation involving construction projects at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). George Flores Alinsod, 58, of Upman Court in Catonsville, was convicted in the Baltimore County Circuit Court of soliciting bribes, procurement fraud, perjury, obstruction of justice, and an overarching theft scheme to steal $206,069.00 from UMBC. Sentencing is scheduled for February 23, 2009.

Alinsod pled guilty before the Honorable John Grason Turnbull, II. Considered to be the central target in the State’s investigation, Alinsod used his influence and power as UMBC’s Manager of Construction Services to solicit bribes from a number of contractors, subcontractors, and vendors conducting business or trying to win construction projects at UMBC. In exchange for the bribes, Alinsod manipulated the procurement process to steer projects toward favored contractors and suppliers. In league with contractors’ representatives and vendors, Alinsod committed other frauds at the State’s expense, such as allowing contractors and vendors to inflate their bills, paying fictitious invoices, and arranging for unnecessary contract allowances.

From January 1999 to June 2004, Alinsod’s bribes and frauds scheme cost the State of Maryland, UMBC, $206,069.00, which paid for expensive trips to destinations such as Ireland, Puerto Rico, and Las Vegas, and items including golf clubs, scuba gear, a saddle, plasma screen television, digital movie camera, computers and software, residential heating and air conditioning units, professional HVAC services, bathroom fixtures, kitchen cabinets, contractor’s fees for renovations to Alinsod’s residence, hardwood flooring, mirrored closet doors, expensive meals, and cash.

Alinsod is the eighth person to be convicted in the Attorney General’s investigation. Contractor Christopher Keehner was convicted of conspiracy to steal money, UMBC employee Joseph Shryock was convicted of felony theft, contractor Patrick Sisk was convicted of bribery and theft, contractors Joseph Cheek and Dennis Roberts were both convicted of bribery, and UMBC employee Andrew Reider was convicted of procurement fraud, felony theft, and bribery.

The investigation and prosecution was conducted by the Attorney General’s Criminal Division, spearheaded by the office’s forensic auditor Harry Schulz, with assistance from division prosecutors, the Maryland State Police, and David Mosca of the University System of Maryland Internal Audit Office.