Attorney Pleads Guilty To Bribery Charges Involving Councilman William Alberto Campos-Escobar

Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen M. Schenning announced Friday a former attorney pleaded guilty to bribery charges involving a Prince George’s County Council member.

Forty-three-year-old Matthew Gorman of Takoma Park was a lobbyist who represented clients in front of the Prince George’s County Board Of License Commissioners. Gorman paid William Alberto Campos-Escobar, aka “Will Campos,” $2,000 in exchange for a letter to the liquor board, recommending a business for a liquor license in 2013. Gorman paid Campos to place a phone call to the liquor board on behalf of the same business in 2015, according to court documents.

Campos was sworn in as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates by early 2015. Gorman, along with Sin Ja Lee, Young Jung Paig and David Dae Sok Son paid Campos $4,000 in exchange for his help in passing a bill authorizing the liquor board to issue specific licenses to business that would permit them to sell liquor on Sundays. Paig and Lee, liquor storeowners, were stood to benefit from the legislation.

Gorman paid Campos a $5,000 bribe in 2015 in exchange for him testifying on behalf of another business before the Montgomery County Board of License Commissioners, according to court records.

Gorman faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 20 at 10 a.m.