Date: 11-24-2020

Case Style:

Case Number: 1:20-cr-00230-EGS

Judge: Emmett Sullivan

Court: United States District Court for the District of Columbia

Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office, District of Columbia

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description: Washington, DC bribery charger criminal defense lawyer represented defendant accused of bribing Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) employee.

Michelle Cage, 45, of Maryland, was charged with bribery for paying more than $6,500 in bribes to a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) employee.

The Information charged Cage with one count of bribery of a public official, which carries with it the penalties of up to 15 years of prison followed by three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

According to Cage’s admissions in connection with her guilty plea, dating back to at least 2012, Cage worked, in return for referral fees, to connect people in need of legal representation or medical services with providers of those services. In 2017, Cage started MC Referrals and Marketing L.L.C. (MC Referrals) to provide these referral services. To identify potential clients, Cage obtained from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Traffic Accident Reports, or “PD Form 10s,” which contained the names and contact information of individuals involved in traffic accidents. Beginning in 2015, however, MPD General Order 401.03 limited the distribution of these reports to individuals involved in traffic accidents and their representatives. Cage admitted that, beginning at that time and continuing into 2017, she paid cash bribes in the amount of $50 to $200 per week to a clerk in MPD’s First District station, to influence the clerk to violate the General Order and provide Cage with the confidential reports, which Cage used to contact and solicit potential clients. Cage admitted that she paid the clerk at least $6,500 in bribes.

In announcing the guilty plea, Acting U.S. Attorney Sherwin commended the work of those who assisted the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office and MPD’s Internal Affairs Division. He also acknowledged the work of those who handled the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica Sanchez, who prosecuted the case.

18:201(b)(1)(A) and (C); BRIBERY OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND WITNESSES; Bribery of a Public Official

Outcome: Defendant pled guilty.

11/19/2020 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui: Plea Agreement Hearing as to MICHELLE CAGE held on 11/19/2020. Defendant Present by Video and sworn in. Plea of GUILTY entered and accepted by the Court as to Count 1 of the Information. REFERRAL TO PROBATION OFFICE for Presentence Investigation as to MICHELLE CAGE. Parties are directed to contact Courtroom Deputy Mark Coates for a sentencing date. Bond Status of Defendant: Defendant Remain on Personal Recognizance; Court Reporter: Lisa Edwards; Defense Attorney: Heather Pickney; US Attorney: Veronica Sanchez; Pretrial Officer: Andre Sidbury. (ztl) (Entered: 11/20/2020)
11/19/2020 3 PLEA AGREEMENT as to MICHELLE CAGE. (ztl) (Entered: 11/20/2020)
11/19/2020 4 STATEMENT OF OFFENSE by USA as to MICHELLE CAGE. (ztl) (Entered: 11/20/2020)
11/19/2020 5 Consent to Proceed before U.S. Magistrate as to MICHELLE CAGE. Approved by Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui on 11/19/2020. (ztl) (Entered: 11/20/2020)
11/19/2020 6 WAIVER OF INDICTMENT by MICHELLE CAGE. Signed by Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui on 11/19/2020. (ztl) (Entered: 11/20/2020)
11/19/2020 7 WAIVER of Trial by Jury as to MICHELLE CAGE. Approved by Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui on 11/19/2020. (ztl) (Entered: 11/20/2020)
11/19/2020 8 REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS Signed by Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui on 11/19/2020 as to MICHELLE CAGE. (ztl) (Entered: 11/20/2020)

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