Former State Employee and General Contractor Sentenced for Fraudulent Scheme at State Correctional Facilities

BALTIMORE, MD – A former employee of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) and the owner of a general contracting company have been sentenced for their involvement in a scheme that defrauded the state. Martin K. Obi, a former DPSCS employee, and Joseph Chimah, owner of First Potomac Environmental Corporation, were sentenced in Baltimore County Circuit Court for procurement fraud, according to a press release from the Maryland Attorney General’s office.

The fraudulent scheme, which took place between 2018 and 2022, involved steering at least eight state contracts for maintenance and repair work at correctional facilities to First Potomac. Obi, who held a position within DPSCS, played a key role by recommending that contracts be awarded to Chimah’s company. To facilitate this, Chimah provided Obi with falsified bids from supposed competitors, which were deliberately priced higher than those submitted by First Potomac. Through this method, First Potomac secured contracts totaling $51,224 for work such as sidewalk repairs, duct cleaning, and painting.

In exchange for Obi’s assistance in securing these state contracts, Chimah aided him in obtaining fraudulent insurance payouts. Chimah made false representations to insurance companies, claiming that First Potomac had completed and billed for repair work on Obi’s properties in Baltimore County. These misrepresentations were made in connection with at least four insurance claims related to property damage.

Joseph Chimah received his sentence on October 31, 2025, from the Honorable Robert E. Cahill, Jr. of the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. Chimah was sentenced to three years of incarceration, with the entirety of the sentence suspended. He will instead serve 18 months of probation. Additionally, Chimah was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine to the State of Maryland and $21,774 in restitution.

Martin Obi was sentenced on February 10, 2026, by the Honorable Jan M. Alexander of the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. Obi received a sentence of 15 years of incarceration, with all of it suspended. He will be on probation for three years. Obi was also mandated to pay all outstanding state taxes owed.

This investigation and prosecution were a collaborative effort. The Attorney General’s office commended the work of its Criminal Division, including Division Chief Katie Dorian, Fraud and Corruption Unit Chief Alex Huggins, Investigative Auditor Harry Armstrong, and Assistant Attorney General William Elman, who prosecuted these cases. Assistance was also provided by the Maryland State Police and the Office of Legislative Audits, as well as State’s Attorney for Baltimore County Scott Shellenberger.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.

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