Professor Warnken Interviewed About Indictment Against Personnel Working for Former Governor Ehrlich’s Gubernatorial Campaign
On June 16, 2011, the Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Paul E. Schurick and Julius Henson on multiple counts stemming from 110,000 “robo-calls” made during the 2010 gubernatorial election. Schurick was charged with (1) three counts of conspiracy to violate Maryland Election Laws, (2) one count of an election law offense by “attempting to influence a voter’s decision whether to go to the polls to case a vote through the use of fraud,” (1) one count of obstruction of justice, and (4) one count of failing to provide an authority line on distributed campaign material. Henson was charged with the same offenses, except he was not charged with obstruction of justice.
Professor Warnken was interviewed once by WJZ television and twice by WBAL radio. He noted that, although three counts of conspiracy were charged, there can only be one count of conspiracy. One illegal agreement to violate 100 laws is still only one count of conspiracy. Warnken stated that, if convicted on all counts, and if given the maximum sentence, and if the sentence were made to run consecutively, Schurick could face a maximum penalty of 16 years and a $10,000 fine, and Henson could face a maximum penalty of 11 years. Warnken explained that if Schurick and Henson do not have criminal records, they may be given a suspended sentence, with five years probation, or they may be given a short sentence in jail.
