Bowie Politician Convicted Of Bribery, Conspiracy

GREENBELT, MD -- A federal jury has convicted a Bowie man who used to serve as a Maryland state delegate on bribery charges.

Michael Lynn Vaughn, 60, was convicted of bribery and conspiracy in "connection with a scheme in which he accepted bribes in exchange for influencing the performance of his official duties," according to a statement from the U.S. Justice Department.

Vaughn served as a Maryland state delegate from 2003-2017, representing District 24, which includes parts of Prince George's County.

"According to evidence presented at trial, from January 2015 through April 2016, then-Delegate Vaughn conspired with former Prince George’s County Liquor Board Commissioner and later, Chief Liquor Inspector, David Dae Sok Son, liquor store owners Young Jung Paig, Shin Ja Lee, and others to advance and vote for favorable legislation in exchange for cash payments," the statement reads.

Vaughn was accused of taking more than $15,000 in bribes for his influence on the 2015 Sunday Sales Bill and 2016 Additional Sunday Permits Bill, which became Maryland laws.

He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each of four counts of bribery, as well as five years for conspiracy. A sentencing date has not been set yet.

Image via U.S. Department of Justice