This unit, staffed by experienced attorneys and investigators, is involved in the investigation and prosecution of a variety of crimes dealing with economic loss. These crimes include, but are not necessarily limited to, violations of fiduciary responsibilities (misappropriation of funds), financial exploitation of the elderly, theft/embezzlement by employees, attorney misconduct (including unauthorized practice of law), insurance fraud, worker's compensation fraud, identity theft, and internet fraud.

The unit is also responsible for a broad spectrum of matters that do not fall within traditional classifications of criminal acts. These cases can include matters dealing with misconduct in office by public officials (malfeasance, misfeasance, nonfeasance), police misconduct (including all incidents involving the use of deadly force by a police officer in the line of duty), and complex matters requiring at least some degree of discretion, at least during the investigative stage.

Cases are brought to our attention in a variety of ways. The Special Prosecutions Unit works closely with the Fraud Section of the Montgomery County Police Department. Investigations undertaken by that police unit are frequently handled by our team members due to their complexity, the amount of the loss, and our experience with the types of evidence normally involved (such as bank records and spreadsheet analysis). We also receive referrals from other agencies, such as the Social Security Administration, the county's Adult Protective Services, and various other state and county agencies. Sometimes these referrals have already been fully investigated and are assigned directly to an attorney.

At other times, some degree of investigation is required and the matter is referred initially to an investigator and subsequently to an attorney once criminal conduct has been identified. On occasion, we are asked by judges, private attorneys, and private citizens to investigate matters that are suspected of being criminal in nature. Examples of these types of cases include misappropriation of funds, mishandling of an estate, and financial exploitation of the elderly. These cases are almost always assigned simultaneously to an investigator and an attorney.

Our unit continues to be involved in efforts to improve and strengthen Maryland law through legislation. One such area is the protection of seniors from financial exploitation. Our intent is to provide greater protection to this growing segment of our population from a wide range of predators ranging from caretakers to health care providers to relatives and friends. Another area of legislative efforts is in the area of identify fraud. We have supported expanded jurisdiction proposals and tougher penalty statutes in an effort to aggressively combat the growing plague on both individuals and businesses of identity fraud.

A recent example of success that our Office has had with dealing with economic crimes is the following case:

Bryan Roslund, 240-777-7378, Team Leader, was hired as an Assistant State's Attorney on June 12, 1995. He received his law degree, with honor, from the University of Maryland School of Law and his undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Roslund worked for three years as a research assistant for Glassman-Oliver Economic Consultants and for two years as an economist for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. From 1994 to 1995, he served as a Law Clerk for the Honorable Michael D. Mason, Circuit Court for Montgomery County. In the State's Attorney's Office, Mr. Roslund has worked in the District Court Division, the Juvenile Division, and the Circuit Court Division. Prior to becoming Chief of the Special Prosecutions Division, he worked for eight years in the Economic Crimes Unit (now the Special Prosecutions Division).

Robert A. Hill, 240-777-7439, Assistant Team Leader, joined the State's Attorney's Office in 1989, after having worked for former United States Senator John Glenn and as a staff member of the Democratic National Committee. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Colorado College, Juris Doctor from The Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America, and LL.M in International Legal Studies from American University's Washington College of Law. During his tenure at the State's Attorney's Office, Mr. Hill handled a significant number of serious cases involving murder and other violent crime. In 2005, he joined the Economic Crimes Unit, (now Special Prosecutions Division), and currently specializes in the prosecution of major frauds. In addition to his duties with the Special Prosecutions Division, Mr. Hill serves as Chief of Legislative Affairs for the State's Attorney's Office, and is a member of the Maryland State's Attorney's Association Legislative Committee. In that role, he regularly testifies before House and Senate Committees on legislation of interest to the State's Attorney's Office.

Sharon T. Diamant, 240-777-7315,  began working as an Assistant State's Attorney in October, 2000. She graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and received her law degree from the University Of Dayton School of Law. Ms. Diamant prosecuted a wide variety of matters in the District Court Unit before moving to the Juvenile Division. In the Juvenile Division she specialized in handling sexual abuse cases involving juvenile offenders. In the spring of 2007, Ms. Diamant joined the Special Prosecutions Division handling fraud and embezzlement cases.

Stephen Chaikin, (240) 777-7405, joined our office as an Assistant State's Attorney on April 3, 2000. Stephen Graduated from Syracuse University, with a degree in Political Science in 1989. In 1993, he received his law degree from The University of Baltimore School of Law. While in Law School, he founded a non-profit Homeless Advocacy organization, "Project Hunger". This effort resulted in the distribution of more than 2000 meals a week, to area homeless shelters and families in need. For his efforts, Mr. Chaikin received the Governor's Honorable Medal of Distinction. Stephen worked as a student attorney in our office from August, 1992 to January, 1993. He worked in the Public Defender's Office in Baltimore City, between 1994 and 1997. Mr. Chaikin worked for the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office from 1997 through February 2000. Mr. Chaikin is assigned as the Upcounty Community Prosecutor. This area includes Rockville, Gaithersburg, Montgomery Village and Germantown. In 2005, Mr. Chaikin received the Chief of Police Certificate of Appreciation award for his work in the community. Mr. Chaikin added another area to his expansive palate in 2008 when he began taking on cases with the Special Prosecutions Division in addition to his duties as the Community Prosecutor for the up-county area. He brings a wealth of experience from his with various felony divisions in the Montgomery County Office.

David Newcomer, 240-777-7379, Chief Investigator, has 26 years of financial crimes investigative experience. Over those years he has worked for the State's Attorney's Office, the Department of Police, and the Office of the Inspector General. He has an MBA degree, undergraduate degrees in criminology and accounting, and holds the professional designation of Certified Fraud Examiner.

Lisa Russo, 240-777-7407, brings an extensive investigative background to the Office. Her past experience includes a number of years with the Montgomery County Department of Police, both as a patrol officer and as an investigator with the internal affairs division. She has also worked for the Office of the Inspector General. In addition to an undergraduate degree, she is also a Certified Fraud Examiner.

Dan Wortman, 240-777-7442, joined the State's Attorney's Office as an investigator in 1999. Prior to joining the Office he served 30 years with the Takoma Park Police Department, retiring with the rank of Major. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Maryland.  He also attended and graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.