June 30, 2009
Man found in burning home was also beaten
City police say a man found last week in a burning residence moments after police responded to a report of an armed person had been beaten before he died in the fire. The victim was identified Monday as Edward M. Davis, 39, but few details were available as police investigate the incident. Davis was found June 24 in the 1800 block of St. Paul St., just south of North Avenue. Police said at the time that the fire, which broke out at 6:30 p.m., was preceded by a report of an armed man in the vicinity, but officers who responded found no one. The fire was reported minutes later, and fire officials said the body was found on a burning couch. Officer Troy Harris, a police spokesman, said the cause of death is listed as blunt force and asphyxiation because it was unclear whether Davis died from the beating or smoke inhalation. Davis' last address is unknown.
- Justin Fenton
Two indicted in tax lien auction scheme
Two septuagenarian businessmen indicted this month on charges of conspiring to rig bids at Maryland tax lien auctions pleaded not guilty Monday in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. Harvey M. Nusbaum, 71, and Jack W. Stollof, 74, were each indicted on one count of violating the Sherman Act from 2002 through 2007. They're accused of conspiring to eliminate competition in the bidding process, thereby guaranteeing that they won a disproportionate number of liens and, later, properties when owners couldn't pay their debts or the businessmen's high fees and had to forfeit their holdings. Conditions of their release were set at yesterday's hearing. Nusbaum must check in with a supervisory agency and remain within the continental United States, except for one family trip abroad in August, after which he must forfeit his passport. Stollof has been released without supervision but must surrender his passport if he can find it. Both men requested a jury trial through their attorneys, though Nusbaum waived his right to a speedy proceeding. If convicted, they face a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of $1 million or double the amount that was gained through the scheme or that the victims lost, whichever is greater.
- Tricia Bishop
