Bromwells' sentences ordered staggered

She'll do time while he's home with children

November 29, 2007

Former state Sen. Thomas L. Bromwell Sr. will be allowed to start his seven-year prison term for bribery in July, so that his wife can serve a substantial portion of her prison sentence first, a federal judge ordered yesterday.

The Bromwells requested the so-called staggered sentencing so that the Baltimore County Democrat could stay home with two of their youngest children while Mary Patricia Bromwell, 44, starts her prison term in January.

Sentenced to a year and a day in prison for her role in a bribery scheme, the wife of the former state senator could receive two months off her sentence for "good time" credit and might be able to serve a portion of the remaining period in a halfway house, according to lawyers in the case.

U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz also ordered that Thomas Bromwell, 58, enter alcohol rehabilitation while he waits to start his sentence. His lawyer said in court that Thomas Bromwell has a drinking problem.

The former tavern owner who became one of Annapolis' most prominent politicians, Thomas Bromwell pleaded guilty this summer to accepting payoffs from a Baltimore construction company executive in return for securing publicly funded contracts.

Mary Patricia Bromwell is to report for prison Jan. 7, Thomas Bromwell on July 1.

[ Matthew Dolan