Baltimore County Police

Arrests Made in September 25 Murder of David Leroy Weeks
74-Year-Old Man Found Dead at Home in Precinct 9/White Marsh

Baltimore County, Md. (September 30, 2009) – Baltimore County Police have arrested Michael Paul DiMattei, 35, and Erin Eileen Steffy, 35, and charged them with first-degree murder in the death of David Leroy Weeks, 74.

Weeks was found deceased by a family member inside his home Friday night in the 1200-block of Hilldale Road, 21237 in Precinct 9/White Marsh. The relative went there to check on his welfare. She found him in his bed, with blood on the sheets and a pillow taped over his head. The Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide, caused by multiple injuries.

In their investigation detectives learned that DiMattei and Steffy had been living with Weeks for some years, but Weeks planned to evict them. Weeks was found dead the day he was due to go to court for the eviction notice.

Search for Victim’s Vehicle

Investigators are still trying to locate David Weeks’ vehicle which was taken by DiMattei and Steffy. The vehicle is a white 1999 Dodge Caravan, Maryland registration plate “153M240.”

During their search of the home, detectives found a roll of duct tape with DiMattei’s fingerprints. That tape was consistent with the tape used on the murder victim. DiMattei was arrested on Monday night and charged in a warrant with first-degree murder. He is being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center. Steffy was arrested late last night and is also charged with first-degree murder. She is currently at an area hospital for treatment, but is being detained on bail denied.

Reward Offered

Anyone with information about the location of the vehicle is asked to call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587). To text a message to Metro Crime Stoppers, send to “CRIMES” (274637), then enter the message starting with “MCS.” Those contacting Metro Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Anne Arundel County

County Executive Leopold Signs into Law Higher Income Eligibility for Senior Tax Deferral Program

Gross income limit increased from $30,000 to $50,000

Annapolis (September 29, 2009) -County Executive John R. Leopold today signed legislation into law that makes it easier for senior citizens and people with disabilities to qualify for the County’s Property Tax Deferral Program.

“This program has the potential to give people the break they need in paying their property taxes during this difficult budget time, but it needed some improvements to make it more desirable to our residents,” County Executive Leopold said. “With this latest change, we have increased the income eligibility and eliminated a 6 percent interest charge. Our seniors and people with disabilities are getting another leg up.”

The Property Tax Deferral Program allows residents to defer property tax bill increases for up to 50 years. Several residents have objected to the interest fee because either it was too high or because it would add to the tax bill. Others indicated they were interested in the program but didn’t qualify because their gross income was too high.

The online form that contains all of the qualification requirements can be found at http://www.aacounty.org/Finance/Resources/TaxDeferral.pdf. The new income limits take effect in 45 days, but residents can apply for the program now to qualify for the benefit next summer.

“Throughout my career I have successfully advocated for similar initiatives,” County Executive Leopold said, “whether it was saving the Homeowner’s Property Tax Credit program as a State Delegate, or increasing the County supplemental credit as County Executive.”

Franchot release

Worcester Co. Police Tip Leads Comptroller Agents to Seize More Than 3,500 Illegal Cigs on US-13

Annapolis, Md. (September 30, 2009) – After receiving a tip from a Worcester County Sherriff’s Office corporal, agents for Comptroller Peter Franchot confiscated more than 3,500 packs of contraband cigarettes and arrested one man yesterday along US-13 in Pocomoke City. Corporal Nate Passwaters of the Worcester County Sherriff’s Office observed the driver of the vehicle purchase a large amount of cigarettes from a Virginia store and notified the Comptroller’s field enforcement agents about possible illegal activity.

Corporal Passwaters stopped a man driving a 2007 Mercedes-Benz with New York license plates on US-13 in Pocomoke City. Comptroller’s agents arrived on the scene and seized 3,510 packs of illegal cigarettes, valued at more than $20,000. Officials arrested the driver of the vehicle, Zaur Rakhamimov, a resident of Brooklyn, NY. He has been charged with transporting contraband cigarettes and possession of contraband cigarettes in the state of Maryland. The transporting charge is a felony, which carries a $50 per carton fine and/or two years imprisonment; and the possession offense is a misdemeanor, carrying a $1000 fine and/or imprisonment, not exceeding one year.

“The economy has had an effect on everyone; however, it does not give anyone an excuse to blatantly disregard tax laws,” said Comptroller Franchot. “This illegal activity will not be tolerated and my agents will continue to work closely with our partners in law enforcement to enforce Maryland’s tobacco laws which protect law-abiding businesses and keep our communities free from contraband.”

Rakhamimov was remanded to the Worcester County Detention Center awaiting a judicial review before a District Court judge today. His bail was set at $20,000. The contraband cigarettes and the vehicle were seized as evidence and are subject to state and federal forfeiture laws.

Since the start of fiscal year 2010 on July 1, 2009, Comptroller agents have already arrested 39 individuals for tobacco violations and seized 17,097 packs of contraband cigarettes valued at nearly $100,000. During fiscal year 2009, 114 individuals were arrested and 172,793 packs of cigarettes valued at more than $850,000 were seized.

Contact: Caron Brace, (410) 260-7438 (office), (410) 212-9414 (cell)

Dixon release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 30, 2009

CONTACT: Scott Peterson 443-740-5412 Scott.Peterson@BaltimoreCity.gov

Mayor Dixon Kicks-Off Breast Cancer Awareness Month Announces Collaboration with Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for Cure, Lights City Hall Dome Pink BALTIMORE, MD (September 30, 2009) Baltimore City Mayor Sheila Dixon was joined by the Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Cabinet members, and city employees to announce several initiatives in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, including lighting the City Hall dome pink. “The cancer rates affecting women in Baltimore city is unacceptable,” stated Mayor Sheila Dixon. “These women are our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, our aunts, our friends, our neighbors and our co-workers. They are dying of a disease that can be treated effectively if detected early enough. We must do everything in our power to improve our education, outreach, and prevention to save lives.” Mayor Dixon and Robin Prothro, Executive Director of Komen Maryland, spoke about this year’s Komen Maryland Community Profile. Komen Maryland conducted a 10-month study to evaluate the state of breast cancer in their service area (the state of Maryland, except for Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties). The final Community Profile report revealed that women and families in Komen Maryland’s service area suffer acutely from the impact of breast cancer, especially with regard to death rates. Maryland is ranked fifth in the nation for breast cancer death rates. Women in Maryland are not diagnosed with breast cancer any more frequently than the national average, but they are dying of breast cancer at higher rates. This year alone, an estimated 810 Maryland women will die from breast cancer.

The African-American community faces particularly unique breast cancer issues. African-American women in Maryland do not have as high an incidence of breast cancer as white women, but have a higher death rate when compared to white women. This

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means that once diagnosed, an African-American woman has a greater chance of dying of breast cancer than a white woman.

Komen Maryland has developed an action plan to work across the state and in hard-hit areas to increase breast cancer awareness and stress the importance of early detection and screening in African-American communities. Komen Maryland funds breast cancer screening, education, and treatment grant programs. This year’s grant applications are due November 2, 2009. For more information, visit the grants section of their website at www.komenmd.org. Other Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities include lighting the City Hall dome pink and displaying a pink ribbon on War Memorial Plaza. # # # Please visit our website at www.baltimorecity.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 30, 2009

CONTACT: Scott Peterson 443-740-5412 Scott.Peterson@BaltimoreCity.gov

Mayor Dixon Kicks-Off Breast Cancer Awareness Month Announces Collaboration with Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for Cure, Lights City Hall Dome Pink

BALTIMORE, MD (September 30, 2009) Baltimore City Mayor Sheila Dixon was joined by the Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Cabinet members, and city employees to announce several initiatives in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, including lighting the City Hall dome pink.

“The cancer rates affecting women in Baltimore city is unacceptable,” stated Mayor Sheila Dixon. “These women are our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, our aunts, our friends, our neighbors and our co-workers. They are dying of a disease that can be treated effectively if detected early enough. We must do everything in our power to improve our education, outreach, and prevention to save lives.”

Mayor Dixon and Robin Prothro, Executive Director of Komen Maryland, spoke about this year’s Komen Maryland Community Profile. Komen Maryland conducted a 10-month study to evaluate the state of breast cancer in their service area (the state of Maryland, except for Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties).

The final Community Profile report revealed that women and families in Komen Maryland’s service area suffer acutely from the impact of breast cancer, especially with regard to death rates. Maryland is ranked fifth in the nation for breast cancer death rates. Women in Maryland are not diagnosed with breast cancer any more frequently than the national average, but they are dying of breast cancer at higher rates. This year alone, an estimated 810 Maryland women will die from breast cancer.

The African-American community faces particularly unique breast cancer issues. African-American women in Maryland do not have as high an incidence of breast cancer as white women, but have a higher death rate when compared to white women. This means that once diagnosed, an African-American woman has a greater chance of dying of breast cancer than a white woman.

Komen Maryland has developed an action plan to work across the state and in hard-hit areas to increase breast cancer awareness and stress the importance of early detection and screening in African-American communities. Komen Maryland funds breast cancer screening, education, and treatment grant programs. This year’s grant applications are due November 2, 2009. For more information, visit the grants section of their website at www.komenmd.org.

Other Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities include lighting the City Hall dome pink and displaying a pink ribbon on War Memorial Plaza.

# # #

Please visit our website at www.baltimorecity.gov

Tech Council of Maryland

BioBreakfast Series – The Swine Flu Pandemic: Public Health Policy and Maryland’s Role in Vaccine Development

October 15, 2009

07:30 am – 10:30 am

UMB BioPark Life Sciences Conference Center, First Floor, 801 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

(Click here for directions.)

Each day brings more headlines and news reports of the burgeoning U.S. outbreaks of swine flu – the most serious influenza pandemic since the Spanish flu circled the globe in 1918. As government authorities at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) convened to develop the nation’s response to the pandemic, critical work being performed at Maryland’s preeminent academic institutions and within its bioscience industry has resulted in significant contributions to the creation of both public health policy and the development of a vaccine against the H1N1 virus.

Join us to hear these leaders and experts describe their work and answer your questions. Our distinguished speakers include:

John M. Colmers
Secretary, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
State of Maryland

Professor Ruth A. Karron, M.D.
Director, Center for Immunization Research
Director, Johns Hopkins Vaccine Initiative
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Wilbur H. Chen, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Center for Vaccine Development
University of Maryland School of Medicine

Drs. Ben Machielse
Executive Vice President, Operations
MedImmune

Rahul Singhvi, Sc.D, MBA
President and CEO
Novavax, Inc.

Moderator:
Professor James P. Nataro, M.D. Ph.D.
Professor of Pediatrics
University of Maryland School of Medicine

Supported in part by a grant from Maryland’s Department of Business and Economic Development.