Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services was sentenced last week for a contracting fraud scheme in which he helped direct state money to a favored business.
Martin Obi, 59, was sentenced Feb. 10 to 15 years of incarceration, but won’t have to go to prison. Baltimore County Circuit Judge Jan Alexander suspended the prison term in favor of three years of probation.
Obi worked with Joseph Chimah, owner of First Potomac Environmental Corporation, to steer at least eight state contracts to First Potomac.
From 2018 to 2022, the state awarded contracts to the company totaling more than $51,000, according to a press release from the Maryland Office of the Attorney General. The contracts were for sidewalk repairs, duct cleaning and painting, among other purposes.
Chimah, 67, submitted fake contract bids appearing to come from other companies offering to…