Lawrence Smith: Dunbar High School football coach charged with fraud and tax evasion
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND: Lawrence Smith, a Baltimore Schools Police Officer and Dunbar Football Coach, has been apprehended by the FBI.
The FBI's confirmation of Smith's arrest was swiftly followed by his appearance at the US Federal Courthouse in downtown Baltimore for a pre-trial hearing.
Court session and release on conditions
During this court session, the presiding judge outlined the charges against Smith, ensured he was aware of his rights, and confirmed his understanding of the proceedings.
Subsequently, Smith was released from pretrial custody, albeit subject to certain conditions. One of these conditions required him to surrender his firearm.
Additionally, he was explicitly instructed not to engage in any discussions pertaining to the case with potential witnesses.
Exiting the courtroom, Smith was accompanied by his attorney, Chaz Ball, and Sgt. Clyde Boatwright, President of the Baltimore City Schools Police Union.
Despite attempts to obtain a comment from the individuals present, none were forthcoming.
The charges against Smith revolve around allegations of fraudulent activities that resulted in him receiving over $215,000 in overtime pay, coupled with attempts to evade taxes on this income.
These allegations were officially announced in a news release by the Department of Justice according to wbaltv.com.
"I feel for the school, I feel for the team, I feel for the community, I feel for the young men and young ladies that looked up to this man," East Baltimore resident Damion Haskins said.
Manipulation of work shifts and absence
According to the Department of Justice, Smith leveraged his role as the Detective in charge of the Overtime Unit to manipulate work shifts in his favor.
He purportedly claimed to be working overtime as a School Police Officer, a position that necessitated his physical presence at the school. However, prosecutors assert that Smith was frequently absent from his assigned duties.
Investigative efforts uncovered instances where he was at home, running errands, or even vacationing out of state, all in contravention of his claimed work schedule, as detailed in the indictment.
Furthermore, Smith faces allegations of falsely declaring that he was exempt from federal tax withholdings. Prosecutors also contend that Smith neglected to file federal income tax returns for the years 2017, 2019, and 2020.
Sources have confirmed the presence of FBI agents at both Baltimore City Schools Headquarters on North Avenue and Smith's residence in Perry Hall, indicating the gravity of the investigation.
Project Baltimore initially reported Smith's involvement in an FBI investigation concerning payroll irregularities in September 2022, based on insider sources.
Project Baltimore's revelations
In January 2023, Project Baltimore gained access to three years' worth of Smith's overtime forms through a public records request.
These records revealed that he had amassed earnings exceeding $218,210 in overtime since 2020, the highest among City Schools officers.
Moreover, investigative findings revealed several instances where Smith purported to be working overtime, but his social media posts contradicted these claims, indicating his presence elsewhere.
One particular instance that raised eyebrows was in 2021 when Smith reported earning $94,484 in overtime. Notably, this included 8 hours on August 6, a day when Smith was featured in a live Facebook video while driving a boat on the Chesapeake Bay.
The live video began at 6:24 p.m, yet, according to his overtime form, Smith should have been stationed at the Lord Baltimore Hotel, manning the COVID-19 test site from 4 p.m. to midnight.
This unfolding case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and adherence to ethical conduct, particularly among individuals holding positions of trust within the community.
The allegations against Smith underscore the need for transparency and oversight in public service, ensuring that public resources are utilized responsibly and for their intended purposes.