Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom declined to comment yesterday. Campaign records appear to show that Romney, too, returned certain funds donated by Fabian.
Wyda said that during Fabian's sentencing, he expects to present details mitigating the severity of the crime.
Yesterday, Fabian acknowledged defrauding entities out of $7 million to $20 million. The government contends that the figure is much higher.
"We are still far apart in terms of loss" assessment, Wyda said.
After the arraignment, Fabian's friends and family filed out of the court, shielding one another from reporters and declining to comment.
Fabian must check in with supervising officers daily via telephone and is not allowed to open new lines of credit while he is awaiting sentencing. His travel is restricted to Maryland, Washington and 20 miles into Northern Virginia, where his attorney said he has business contacts.
"He is trying to sustain his life the best he can," Wyda said.
tricia.bishop@baltsun.com
Alan Fabian timeline
2001 - Alan Fabian enters into sale and lease-back agreements with Solarcom Inc., purporting to buy computer equipment for the Georgia company to lease. In some cases, he never buys the equipment. In others, he buys substantially less. He still charges Solarcom and financial backers full price.
2003 - Fabian uses millions he has fraudulently received to launch the Centre for Management and Technology, a nonprofit designed to provide technology services to charities.
August 2004 - Fabian's company is forced into bankruptcy.
April 2005 - Fabian opens lines of credit and takes out loans at Provident Bank on behalf of CMAT.
July 2007 - The Harvey Johnson Neighborhood CyberCentre opens in the basement of West Baltimore's Union Baptist Church. The technology center received $200,000 from Fabian's non-profit.
August 2007 - Fabian is indicted on felony fraud charges.
Yesterday - Fabian pleads guilty to mail fraud and filing a false tax return.
[ Source: U.S. attorney's office for the District of Maryland]
