Former Pr. Geo's charity board member indicted

A grand jury in Prince George's County returned a five-count indictment Thursday against the former board member of a nonprofit who allegedly used the charity to draw thousands of dollars from the county meant for affordable housing projects, according to a law enforcement source close to the investigation.

Randy McRae, 51, of Crofton once sat on the board of the Central Prince George's County Development Corp., a nonprofit that works to revitalize communities in the county. According to a law enforcement source close to the investigation, McRae -- who ran unsuccessfully for county executive in 1998 -- faces up to 65 years in prison on charges of theft, counterfeiting and forgery.

According to the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the case is pending, McRae set up bank accounts in the group's name and forged documents when applying for the group to be a Community Housing Development Organization, or CHDO, without the knowledge of the other board members. That designation, granted in 2006, made the group eligible for federal dollars from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the CHDO program.

McRae secured $25,000 in CHDO grants as reimbursements through the county, sources said, and deposited them in the accounts. An additional $25,000 was deposited into one account from a duped investor, sources said.

McRae is accused of then writing checks from the accounts for expenses unrelated to the group's activities, including attorney fees, a land development in North Carolina and a payment to Baltimore Gas & Electric.

A warrant has been issued for McRae's arrest. Attempts to reach McRae have been unsuccessful. A number listed for him has been disconnected.

-- Jonathan Mummolo