On April 14, 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Inspector General (OIG), Hotline received a forwarded electronic message from Jennifer Stone, Public Information Officer, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office (SMCSO), Maryland. The message reported a scam involving an unknown individual who posed as an employee of the EPA. The person demanded cash from an elderly female for environmental violations in St. Mary County, Maryland.
Preliminary investigation revealed, the victim, an elderly female may have been the victim of a fraudulent scheme perpetrated by an individual residing with her. Special Agent Alex Bailey and St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sale Smith interviewed Anita Schriver, who provided inconsistent statements regarding the incident. All of the information provided by the victim regarding the incident was derived from Schriver, who received $300.00 from the victim and allegedly paid the EPA Employee to resolve the environmental violations.
During the investigation, the EPA OIG, and St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office continued to develop information through subpoenas and source development showing Ms. Schriver fabricated the EPA’s involvement in order to deceive the victim, an elderly disabled adult in exchange for $300.
On July 23, 2016, Ms. Schriver was arrested for an unrelated theft charge and interviewed by Deputy Sheriff Dale Smith regarding the EPA incident. During the interview, Ms. Schriver admitted fabricating the story about an EPA employee being involved in the scheme to defraud the vulnerable disabled female. Ms. Schriver was subsequently charged with violations of Maryland Statute, CR §7–104. Theft under $1000.
Ms. Schriver was presented before a District Court Commissioner and was denied bail.
The successful outcome could not have been possible without the cooperation and excellent coordination between EPA OIG and the St. Mary’s County Office of the Sheriff, specifically Deputy Dale Smith.
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| Anita Schriver |
