THE region
Fraud Charges A federal grand jury has charged an Easton, Md., couple with defrauding a union trust fund and the Departments of the Interior and Labor of more than $917,000 in the past five years.
The 12-count indictment charges Gilbert A. Wolf, 72, and Janice R. Hughes, 67, with bank fraud, mail fraud and money laundering. Wolf was executive director and Hughes was office director of the National Plastering Industry's Joint Apprenticeship Trust Fund. The fund provides career training for disadvantaged youth through the two federal agencies and is a nonprofit governed by the Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association.
Police sketch of suspect.
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According to the charges, the couple developed a scheme in which they wrote and issued checks to fictitious vendors of the trust fund, then deposited the money into their own accounts and paid personal bills.
Robbery-Related Sentence A man tied to a gang that terrorized customers by brandishing assault weapons during six bank robberies in the region last year was sentenced yesterday in federal court in the District to four years and nine months in prison, the U.S. attorney's office said.
Guidel Olivares, 46, of the 2100 block of Sherman Avenue NW, also was ordered to pay $23,000 in restitution to SunTrust Bank. He pleaded guilty in October to conspiracy to commit the armed robberies. Authorities said he did not participate in the robberies but sold two guns to the bandits and accepted money to hide weapons and contraband.
MARYLAND
Phony Agent An unidentified man impersonating an FBI agent stopped a vehicle in South Germantown Recreational Park early this month and briefly detained the driver, police said Tuesday.
Police said the man stopped the driver in the Montgomery County park March 2, removed him from his vehicle, handcuffed him and searched the vehicle before freeing him.
Police released a composite sketch of the suspect, a white male of small build, about 25 years old. They said he drove a dark, newer-model Volkswagen Jetta or Passat. Maryland-National Capital Park Police urged anyone with information to call Detective Mary McDonnell at 301-949-3010.
Ex-Employee Charged A former State Highway Administration employee was accused yesterday by the Maryland attorney general's office of participating in a bribery scheme.
Lucinda Nasario-Easley allegedly ordered janitorial and cleaning supplies with her state credit card from Stone Cold Chemical and received in return gift certificates for Six Flags theme park and several retail stores. She also was charged in Prince George's County Circuit Court with felony theft for allegedly stealing more than $500 in automobile tires and parts and ink cartridges from a facility where she worked in Upper Marlboro.
Nasario-Easley, 29, could not be reached for comment yesterday.
THE DISTRICT
Victim Identified A man fatally shot Tuesday in Northeast Washington was identified by police yesterday as Lovell Allen, 33.
Allen, of the 900 block of 21st Street NE, was one of two men shot in the 700 block of Langston Terrace NE about 5 p.m., police said. He was pronounced dead at Washington Hospital Center. The second victim, who was wounded, was not identified because he is considered a witness in the case.
Compiled from reports by staff writers.
