Major Controversies Surrounding Marilyn Mosby: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Marilyn Mosby.

Marilyn Mosby is an American lawyer and politician who served as the State's Attorney for Baltimore from 2015 to 2023. As the youngest state prosecutor for a major U.S. city, she rose to national prominence during the Freddie Gray case in 2015. Mosby led the investigation into Gray's death and subsequently prosecuted the police officers involved in his arrest and transport, though the prosecution was ultimately unsuccessful. Her tenure as State's Attorney was marked by both high-profile cases and controversies.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2014: Unpaid Federal Taxes

In 2014, Marilyn Mosby and her husband, Nick Mosby, had unpaid federal taxes.

May 4, 2015: Alan Dershowitz Interview

On May 4, 2015, Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz said that he believed Marilyn Mosby overcharged the officers in an attempt to satisfy protesters and prevent further disturbances.

May 21, 2015: Grand Jury Indictment

On May 21, 2015, a grand jury indicted the officers on most of the original charges filed by Marilyn Mosby, with the exception of charges of illegal imprisonment and false arrest, and added charges of reckless endangerment for all the officers involved.

December 2015: Mistrial Declared in Porter Case

In December 2015, the trial of Officer William Porter resulted in a hung jury, and the judge declared a mistrial.

2015: Unpaid Federal Taxes

In 2015, Marilyn Mosby and her husband, Nick Mosby, had unpaid federal taxes.

2015: Became State's Attorney of Baltimore

In 2015, Marilyn Mosby became the State's Attorney of Baltimore, the youngest state prosecutor for any major city in the United States. In 2015 she gained national attention following the killing of Freddie Gray, after which she led a highly publicized investigation and unsuccessful murder prosecution of the police officers who arrested and transported Gray.

2015: Charged Officers in Freddie Gray Case

In 2015, Marilyn Mosby charged six police officers in the Freddie Gray case, with charges including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.

May 11, 2016: Nero Acquittal

On May 11, 2016, Officer Edward Nero was acquitted of all charges in the Freddie Gray case, leading to criticism of Marilyn Mosby.

June 23, 2016: Goodson Acquittal and Complaint Filed

On June 23, 2016, Officer Goodson was acquitted on all counts, and a complaint was filed against Marilyn Mosby with the Maryland's Attorney Grievance Commission.

2016: Unpaid Federal Taxes

In 2016, Marilyn Mosby and her husband, Nick Mosby, had unpaid federal taxes.

May 2018: Lawsuit Blocked

In May 2018, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked a lawsuit filed by five of the six police officers charged by Mosby.

November 2018: Supreme Court Denied Appeal

In November 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the officers' appeal.

2018: Travel Investigation

In 2018, Marilyn Mosby faced questions about her frequent speaking engagements and private businesses. An investigation found Mosby was out of town for 144 workdays in 2018 and 2019, did not report 15 out-of-town trips to the Board of Estimates, and had used LLCs (that she had falsely claimed were dormant) for tax write-offs.

2019: Travel Investigation

In 2019, Marilyn Mosby faced questions about her frequent speaking engagements and private businesses. An investigation found Mosby was out of town for 144 workdays in 2018 and 2019, did not report 15 out-of-town trips to the Board of Estimates, and had used LLCs (that she had falsely claimed were dormant) for tax write-offs.

October 2020: Federal Tax Lien Filed

In October 2020, a $45,000 federal tax lien was filed against the property of Marilyn Mosby and her husband Nick for three years of unpaid federal taxes (2014, 2015, and 2016).

May 2021: Complaint Against WBFF

In May 2021, Marilyn Mosby's office filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) against Baltimore television station WBFF, alleging the station's coverage of her office was "blatantly slanted, dishonest, misleading, racist, and extremely dangerous".

January 13, 2022: Indicted on Perjury Charges

On January 13, 2022, Marilyn Mosby was indicted by a federal grand jury on perjury charges alleging she falsely claimed COVID-19-related financial hardship.

February 4, 2022: Pleaded Not Guilty

On February 4, 2022, Marilyn Mosby pleaded not guilty to the perjury charges.

January 2023: Declared Indigent

In January 2023, despite having been employed as Baltimore's top prosecutor for the prior eight years, Marilyn Mosby was declared indigent and a public defender was assigned to represent her.

March 2023: Trial Scheduled

Marilyn Mosby's trial was scheduled to begin in March 2023, but was delayed due to her defense team withdrawing.

November 9, 2023: Convicted of Perjury

On November 9, 2023, Mosby was convicted on perjury charges related to financially exploiting a COVID-19 pandemic relief program.

February 6, 2024: Convicted of Mortgage Fraud

On February 6, 2024, Mosby was convicted of mortgage fraud related to the purchase of Florida properties.

February 2024: Motion to Acquit Filed

In February 2024, Marilyn Mosby's defense counsel filed a motion to acquit, contending that the mortgage fraud did not happen in Maryland and claimed the government brought the case in the wrong venue.

February 16, 2024: Motion to Acquit Rejected

On February 16, 2024, the judge rejected Marilyn Mosby's defense motion to acquit due to venue and upheld her mortgage fraud conviction. Mosby was ordered to surrender her passport ahead of sentencing.

May 2024: Interview on MSNBC

In May 2024, ahead of her sentencing, Marilyn Mosby appeared for an interview on MSNBC's The ReidOut, where she declared her innocence and called on President Joe Biden to pardon her, asserting that she had been "politically targeted".

May 23, 2024: Sentencing

On May 23, 2024, Marilyn Mosby was sentenced to 12 months of home confinement, 100 hours of community service, and three years of supervised release in connection with her perjury and mortgage fraud convictions.