Ex-Prince George’s Councilman Mel Franklin charged with embezzlement

Former Prince George’s County councilmember Jamel “Mel” Franklin has been charged in a felony fraud scheme in which authorities say he embezzled at least $130,000 of his campaign funds to pay for personal expenses, including his rent, loans and cosmetic procedures for him and a close friend.

The scheme included falsifying information on reports filed with the State Board of Elections, according to the Maryland Office of State Prosecutor, which announced the charge Thursday.