Maryland's Top Tax Evaders 2018 List

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Comptroller Peter Franchot released the top 25 businesses and 20 individuals that owe the state of Maryland a total of $12.7 million in unpaid taxes, penalties and interest. His office publishes what it calls the top scofflaws on the agency's website in a public attempt to get those on the list to pay what they owe as part of the Caught in the Web program.

This program highlights a small number of individuals and businesses that make a conscious effort to not pay their taxes," said Franchot in a news release. "The vast majority of Marylanders pay their fair share of taxes, and my office is committed to ensuring that everyone does. These people have chosen to take advantage of the benefits of this great state while thumbing their noses at the taxpayers who fulfill their legal obligations."

The Comptroller's Office has collected more than $45 million from delinquent taxpayers whose names appeared on one of the agency's lists since the program's inception in 2000. The list of taxpayers posted Wednesday shows liabilities of $6.4 million in back taxes, penalties and interest from 20 individuals and $6.3 million from 25 businesses.

Venus D. Hill from Clinton is No. 1 on the list at $1.54 million owed. A notable on the list is well-known Baltimore defense attorney Warren A. Brown, who owes more than $253,000, and is No 8 on Franchot's list.

Brown told Fox Baltimore he's been paying off his tax debt and had issues with an accountant who "just disappeared."

The top 3 businesses on the list are Sharpsburg Shell & Snax in Hagerstown, which owes $1.6 million; US 1 Liquors in Jessup owes $731,299; and GT Management of Mount Airy owes $663,000.

When an individual or business fails to pay their Maryland taxes, the Comptroller's Office initially sends a certified letter listing any unpaid charges incurred for taxes, interest and penalties. Taxpayers who fail to contact the agency to pay their tax liability or enter into an agreement to do so are eligible to be included in the Caught in the Web program. These individuals and businesses, which have already had liens filed against them, are notified before the list's posting that they will be included.

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View the full list of those who owe taxes here.

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