ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A former Prince George's County councilmember learned his fate Wednesday after admitting to embezzling campaign funds. Mel Franklin pleaded guilty to felony theft and perjury.
Franklin was sentenced to one year in prison, which begins Nov. 29.
Franklin severed as the councilmember representing District 9 from 2010 to 2018, and was the at-large councilmember representing all of Prince George's County from 2018 until June 2024. He established his campaign committee, "Friends of Mel Franklin" in 2009 to raise money for his election to Prince George's County Council.
In court, prosecutors said Franklin stole from his constituents and lied to his community, and also detailed how his crimes went back years, saying that he knew he was going to break the law back in 2010.
Prosecutors also highlighted Franklin’s struggles with alcohol, including a DUI that ended up hospitalizing two people.
Back in June, he abruptly resigned from his seat, and was charged with theft and perjury less than two weeks later.
As part of his plea, Franklin admitted to stealing $124,450.10 from the Friends of Mel Franklin campaign from 2020 through October 2023, and using those funds to pay for, among other things, personal loans and credit card debt, his personal rent, and personal subscriptions. He also admitted to using those funds for international trips and spending $11,500 on cosmetic procedures for himself and a close friend.
Franklin further admitted that beginning in 2021 through December 2023, he used an additional $8,718.57 from the campaign account to pay third parties directly for his personal expenses. Franklin used the funds to pay for personal hotel-stays and cosmetic procedures for he and a close friend, and for a deposit for an international trip in 2024. Franklin also admitted to using the funds to pay off his personal credit card and for the upkeep of his personal car.
In addition, Franklin admitted to concealing his use of campaign funds and falsifying information on campaign reports that he signed under the penalties of perjury and submitted to the State Board of Elections.
“Elected officials should be held accountable if they violate the public's trust and exploit the Maryland electoral process for personal financial gain,” said State Prosecutor Howard. “I’m proud of our office’s hard work in uncovering this extensive fraud.”
Franklin’s attorneys highlighted his work in Prince George’s County for the past 15 years, describing him as a valued member of Prince George’s County’s political community.
Franklin’s father also appealed to the judge for leniency, and discussed his issues with Franklin’s mother’s passing in 2019.
Following his time in prison, he'll be on probation for three years, and during that time, he'll have to pay $133,168 back to his campaign, "Friends of Mel Franklin", which will then be redistributed. Franklin will also be required to undergo mental health assessments and substance abuse counseling.