Dan Belson
@danbelson.bsky.social
Legal affairs for The Daily Record. Formerly: @baltsunguild.bsky.social
September 28, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Judge: ICE “has failed at every single turn” to comply with her order on overcrowding in Baltimore holding facility.
Calls it a “spectacular failure,” orders sworn declarations from director re:capacity, considering a special master to monitor.
Calls it a “spectacular failure,” orders sworn declarations from director re:capacity, considering a special master to monitor.
September 28, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Judge: ICE “has failed at every single turn” to comply with her order on overcrowding in Baltimore holding facility.
Calls it a “spectacular failure,” orders sworn declarations from director re:capacity, considering a special master to monitor.
Calls it a “spectacular failure,” orders sworn declarations from director re:capacity, considering a special master to monitor.
Maryland Del. Gary Simmons (D-Anne Arundel) was charged with second-degree assault last Thursday (the same day he was certified as the Dem nominee for District 12B.)
Anne Arundel Co. Police say a relative described a physical altercation at his home.
thedailyrecord.com/2026/07/27/g...
Anne Arundel Co. Police say a relative described a physical altercation at his home.
thedailyrecord.com/2026/07/27/g...
MD delegate charged with assault after alleged ‘physical family dispute’
Maryland Del. Gary Simmons was charged with second-degree assault after his stepdaughter reported a physical dispute to Anne Arundel County Police.
thedailyrecord.com
July 27, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Maryland Del. Gary Simmons (D-Anne Arundel) was charged with second-degree assault last Thursday (the same day he was certified as the Dem nominee for District 12B.)
Anne Arundel Co. Police say a relative described a physical altercation at his home.
thedailyrecord.com/2026/07/27/g...
Anne Arundel Co. Police say a relative described a physical altercation at his home.
thedailyrecord.com/2026/07/27/g...
First, a power struggle at a Nicaraguan resort spilled out into a racketeering lawsuit. Then, in March, a bus crash there killed 1 and injured 20 people.
I wrote about why U.S. lawyers are scrutinizing the Rancho Santana resort's close ties to the Baltimore-based Agora Cos.
I wrote about why U.S. lawyers are scrutinizing the Rancho Santana resort's close ties to the Baltimore-based Agora Cos.
July 13, 2026 at 7:56 PM
First, a power struggle at a Nicaraguan resort spilled out into a racketeering lawsuit. Then, in March, a bus crash there killed 1 and injured 20 people.
I wrote about why U.S. lawyers are scrutinizing the Rancho Santana resort's close ties to the Baltimore-based Agora Cos.
I wrote about why U.S. lawyers are scrutinizing the Rancho Santana resort's close ties to the Baltimore-based Agora Cos.
america first legal foundation filed a lawsuit today on behalf of two anonymous parents who allege that AACPS made their kid trans
July 9, 2026 at 10:58 PM
america first legal foundation filed a lawsuit today on behalf of two anonymous parents who allege that AACPS made their kid trans
BALTIMORE — After serving 27 years in prison for a murder he didn’t commit, a local exoneree’s civil lawsuit against BPD and three officers who investigated the 1991 killing will go before a jury here.
But the four stage actors his lawyer hired to read out decades-old trial testimony won’t.
But the four stage actors his lawyer hired to read out decades-old trial testimony won’t.
July 6, 2026 at 8:06 PM
BALTIMORE — After serving 27 years in prison for a murder he didn’t commit, a local exoneree’s civil lawsuit against BPD and three officers who investigated the 1991 killing will go before a jury here.
But the four stage actors his lawyer hired to read out decades-old trial testimony won’t.
But the four stage actors his lawyer hired to read out decades-old trial testimony won’t.
wrote about how the music industry sent someone to surveil and record karaoke nights @ Ottobar in Baltimore, sued venue for playing“Take On Me,” “(I Just) Died In Your Arms” and “Goodbye Earl,” and won $18.5K.
thedailyrecord.com/2026/06/25/o...
thedailyrecord.com/2026/06/25/o...
Goodbye to ‘Goodbye Earl’: Baltimore’s Ottobar ordered to pay $18.5K over unlicensed songs by The Chicks, A-ha
Music companies were awarded more than $18,000 after Baltimore music venue Ottobar conceded liability for three karaoke performances.
thedailyrecord.com
June 25, 2026 at 7:45 PM
wrote about how the music industry sent someone to surveil and record karaoke nights @ Ottobar in Baltimore, sued venue for playing“Take On Me,” “(I Just) Died In Your Arms” and “Goodbye Earl,” and won $18.5K.
thedailyrecord.com/2026/06/25/o...
thedailyrecord.com/2026/06/25/o...
Why did Baltimore County lawyer Jacob Rappaport risk prison and disbarment by helping his client mislead lenders by inflating real estate sale prices?
It wasn’t the money — Rappaport only got legal fees that he said on court he would’ve been able to get anyway. 👇
thedailyrecord.com/2026/06/23/j...
It wasn’t the money — Rappaport only got legal fees that he said on court he would’ve been able to get anyway. 👇
thedailyrecord.com/2026/06/23/j...
Baltimore County real estate attorney sentenced to prison after bank fraud conviction
A Baltimore County real estate attorney said he "had nothing to gain" from the scheme that led to his federal conviction.
thedailyrecord.com
June 23, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Why did Baltimore County lawyer Jacob Rappaport risk prison and disbarment by helping his client mislead lenders by inflating real estate sale prices?
It wasn’t the money — Rappaport only got legal fees that he said on court he would’ve been able to get anyway. 👇
thedailyrecord.com/2026/06/23/j...
It wasn’t the money — Rappaport only got legal fees that he said on court he would’ve been able to get anyway. 👇
thedailyrecord.com/2026/06/23/j...
A D.C. federal judge warned a Severna Park attorney about his citations to nonexistent quotes that bore "the hallmarks of reliance on an artificial intelligence tool."
Over the next 5 months, the law firm’s managing partners filed 4 more legal briefs that were later flagged for AI hallucinations.
Over the next 5 months, the law firm’s managing partners filed 4 more legal briefs that were later flagged for AI hallucinations.
May 19, 2026 at 10:38 PM
A D.C. federal judge warned a Severna Park attorney about his citations to nonexistent quotes that bore "the hallmarks of reliance on an artificial intelligence tool."
Over the next 5 months, the law firm’s managing partners filed 4 more legal briefs that were later flagged for AI hallucinations.
Over the next 5 months, the law firm’s managing partners filed 4 more legal briefs that were later flagged for AI hallucinations.
Today, we revealed the terms hidden behind Maryland’s $2.25B settlement with the Dali’s owner and operator.
MD agreed to pursue its own claim against Hyundai, the Dali’s builder — and pay the shipowners a cut of any winnings — as part of the deal.
thedailyrecord.com/2026/05/18/k...
MD agreed to pursue its own claim against Hyundai, the Dali’s builder — and pay the shipowners a cut of any winnings — as part of the deal.
thedailyrecord.com/2026/05/18/k...
May 18, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Today, we revealed the terms hidden behind Maryland’s $2.25B settlement with the Dali’s owner and operator.
MD agreed to pursue its own claim against Hyundai, the Dali’s builder — and pay the shipowners a cut of any winnings — as part of the deal.
thedailyrecord.com/2026/05/18/k...
MD agreed to pursue its own claim against Hyundai, the Dali’s builder — and pay the shipowners a cut of any winnings — as part of the deal.
thedailyrecord.com/2026/05/18/k...
Last week, we broke a story on the $2B in civil claims that Maryland could face over alleged failures to protect the Key Bridge from ship strikes like the one that destroyed the bridge.
thedailyrecord.com/2026/05/14/k...
thedailyrecord.com/2026/05/14/k...
MD could face over $2B in Key Bridge claims, records show
Dozens of attorneys have said they might sue Maryland for civil damages stemming from the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
thedailyrecord.com
May 18, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Last week, we broke a story on the $2B in civil claims that Maryland could face over alleged failures to protect the Key Bridge from ship strikes like the one that destroyed the bridge.
thedailyrecord.com/2026/05/14/k...
thedailyrecord.com/2026/05/14/k...
ICE says that the crowded Baltimore field office holding area seen in a video making the rounds on social media is due to the icy weather halting transportation.
An advocacy group says that per ICE’s own data, crowded cells and long waits have been the norm at 31 Hopkins Plaza for the past year.
An advocacy group says that per ICE’s own data, crowded cells and long waits have been the norm at 31 Hopkins Plaza for the past year.
January 26, 2026 at 11:38 PM
ICE says that the crowded Baltimore field office holding area seen in a video making the rounds on social media is due to the icy weather halting transportation.
An advocacy group says that per ICE’s own data, crowded cells and long waits have been the norm at 31 Hopkins Plaza for the past year.
An advocacy group says that per ICE’s own data, crowded cells and long waits have been the norm at 31 Hopkins Plaza for the past year.
The State Department is weighing whether or not it’ll surrender a Baltimore man to German authorities, who say the Park Heights resident killed a colleague while working a demolition job at an overseas U.S. air base.
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/10/29/b...
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/10/29/b...
Baltimore man tied to killing of construction foreman in Germany
A Baltimore man can be extradited to Germany to face charges of killing a construction site’s foreman while working at a military base, a federal judge ruled.
www.baltimoresun.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:12 PM
The State Department is weighing whether or not it’ll surrender a Baltimore man to German authorities, who say the Park Heights resident killed a colleague while working a demolition job at an overseas U.S. air base.
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/10/29/b...
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/10/29/b...
“Battle-ready”: A Trump supporter who pepper sprayed a Butch Gardens attendee near Peabody Heights, roughly a month after choking a man who stole his Trump/Vance sign, was found guilty of assault and weapons charges for both attacks.
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/09/26/t...
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/09/26/t...
Trump supporter gets 15 years for mace attack at Baltimore LGBTQ+ event, man’s beating
A Baltimore man was sentenced to 15 years of prison on Friday after a judge found him guilty of assault in two attacks this summer after he was confronted over his “Trump-Vance” sign.
www.baltimoresun.com
September 27, 2025 at 1:43 PM
“Battle-ready”: A Trump supporter who pepper sprayed a Butch Gardens attendee near Peabody Heights, roughly a month after choking a man who stole his Trump/Vance sign, was found guilty of assault and weapons charges for both attacks.
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/09/26/t...
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/09/26/t...
Lawyers for 17 Catholic Church associates whose names are redacted in the Baltimore Archdiocese sex abuse report argued today that the AG’s investigation itself was illegal.
How the MD Supreme Court rules could imperil ongoing probes of the Wash/Wilm dioceses.
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/09/05/g...
How the MD Supreme Court rules could imperil ongoing probes of the Wash/Wilm dioceses.
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/09/05/g...
Clergy fight disclosure of names in Maryland Archdiocese abuse report
Lawyers questioned the Maryland Attorney General’s office’s authority to conduct its four-year probe of sexual abuse in the Baltimore Archdiocese while fighting in the state’s hig…
www.baltimoresun.com
September 5, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Lawyers for 17 Catholic Church associates whose names are redacted in the Baltimore Archdiocese sex abuse report argued today that the AG’s investigation itself was illegal.
How the MD Supreme Court rules could imperil ongoing probes of the Wash/Wilm dioceses.
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/09/05/g...
How the MD Supreme Court rules could imperil ongoing probes of the Wash/Wilm dioceses.
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/09/05/g...
An officer was flagged down at a Penn-North bus stop for a “man down.” 1 min later, another.
Within 10 minutes, he radioed that there were five people “completely unresponsive.”
Inside how first responders discovered today’s suspected mass overdose:
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/07/10/b...
Within 10 minutes, he radioed that there were five people “completely unresponsive.”
Inside how first responders discovered today’s suspected mass overdose:
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/07/10/b...
‘Bad batch’: Frantic response to Baltimore overdoses heard in recorded audio
It started with an “unknown problem” in a West Baltimore alley. Then, there was a “man down” at a nearby bus stop. Officer and medics quickly realized the suspected overdose…
www.baltimoresun.com
July 11, 2025 at 1:56 AM
An officer was flagged down at a Penn-North bus stop for a “man down.” 1 min later, another.
Within 10 minutes, he radioed that there were five people “completely unresponsive.”
Inside how first responders discovered today’s suspected mass overdose:
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/07/10/b...
Within 10 minutes, he radioed that there were five people “completely unresponsive.”
Inside how first responders discovered today’s suspected mass overdose:
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/07/10/b...
National news orgs jumped on an ICE post claiming that Maryland released a man charged with first-degree murder, reciting the claim verbatim.
Problem: he’s never been charged with killing anybody, has zero convictions and hasn’t been arrested in over a decade
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/07/08/i...
Problem: he’s never been charged with killing anybody, has zero convictions and hasn’t been arrested in over a decade
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/07/08/i...
ICE chides Maryland police about man’s release. Attorney says agency is ‘spinning a narrative.’
The man, who entered the country illegally, had no convictions on record in Maryland or Indiana, where he was eventually detained by ICE.
www.baltimoresun.com
July 9, 2025 at 11:40 PM
National news orgs jumped on an ICE post claiming that Maryland released a man charged with first-degree murder, reciting the claim verbatim.
Problem: he’s never been charged with killing anybody, has zero convictions and hasn’t been arrested in over a decade
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/07/08/i...
Problem: he’s never been charged with killing anybody, has zero convictions and hasn’t been arrested in over a decade
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/07/08/i...
As his real estate empire crumbles, it’s unclear where Baltimore developer Brandon Chasen has been.
He didn’t show up to a recent meeting with creditors he owes $29M+, and hasn’t filed paperwork, in a bankruptcy case for his construction firm. His phone line is disconnected.
bit.ly/4ehdXnZ
He didn’t show up to a recent meeting with creditors he owes $29M+, and hasn’t filed paperwork, in a bankruptcy case for his construction firm. His phone line is disconnected.
bit.ly/4ehdXnZ
Firms file to push Baltimore developer Brandon Chasen into bankruptcy
A bank and two contracting firms formally petitioned Monday to force Baltimore developer Brandon Chasen into bankruptcy as the once-fruitful apartment magnate’s real estate empire continues t…
bit.ly
June 18, 2025 at 4:15 AM
As his real estate empire crumbles, it’s unclear where Baltimore developer Brandon Chasen has been.
He didn’t show up to a recent meeting with creditors he owes $29M+, and hasn’t filed paperwork, in a bankruptcy case for his construction firm. His phone line is disconnected.
bit.ly/4ehdXnZ
He didn’t show up to a recent meeting with creditors he owes $29M+, and hasn’t filed paperwork, in a bankruptcy case for his construction firm. His phone line is disconnected.
bit.ly/4ehdXnZ
Parking agents in Baltimore are issuing citations for expired tags more aggressively after the law dept. rescinded guidance that held them back last spring.
🚘 Hondas, Toyotas and Nissans got cited the most since mid-March
🚙🚕 Over 10% of cars cited had VA tags
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/05/13/p...
🚘 Hondas, Toyotas and Nissans got cited the most since mid-March
🚙🚕 Over 10% of cars cited had VA tags
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/05/13/p...
As Baltimore ramps up parking enforcement, citations for one offense are skyrocketing
Baltimore is issuing thousands more parking citations than it has in previous years. Data shows agents are writing the most tickets for one particular violation — parking with expired tags.
www.baltimoresun.com
May 13, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Parking agents in Baltimore are issuing citations for expired tags more aggressively after the law dept. rescinded guidance that held them back last spring.
🚘 Hondas, Toyotas and Nissans got cited the most since mid-March
🚙🚕 Over 10% of cars cited had VA tags
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/05/13/p...
🚘 Hondas, Toyotas and Nissans got cited the most since mid-March
🚙🚕 Over 10% of cars cited had VA tags
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/05/13/p...
Federal rail officials conferred w/ the Musk-owned Boring Co. about a potential cost-cutting contract in Amtrak’s biggest infrastructure project: the Frederick Douglass Tunnel in West Baltimore.
Story: www.baltimoresun.com/2025/05/13/f...
Story: www.baltimoresun.com/2025/05/13/f...
Trump administration turns to Elon Musk’s Boring Co. for advice on Baltimore tunnel project
The Trump administration is getting advice from Elon Musk’s Boring Company regarding the Frederick Douglass Tunnel project in Baltimore.
www.baltimoresun.com
May 13, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Federal rail officials conferred w/ the Musk-owned Boring Co. about a potential cost-cutting contract in Amtrak’s biggest infrastructure project: the Frederick Douglass Tunnel in West Baltimore.
Story: www.baltimoresun.com/2025/05/13/f...
Story: www.baltimoresun.com/2025/05/13/f...
The Trump admin hasn’t been budging much on order to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the U.S.
If that keeps up, Sen. Van Hollen (D-Md.) says he'll go to El Salvador himself this week.
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/04/14/k...
If that keeps up, Sen. Van Hollen (D-Md.) says he'll go to El Salvador himself this week.
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/04/14/k...
Senator vows to go to El Salvador if Trump administration doesn’t return Maryland man
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen said Monday morning that he would go to El Salvador himself later this week if the Trump administration continues to stall on a judge’s directive to return a mistak…
www.baltimoresun.com
April 14, 2025 at 1:44 PM
The Trump admin hasn’t been budging much on order to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the U.S.
If that keeps up, Sen. Van Hollen (D-Md.) says he'll go to El Salvador himself this week.
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/04/14/k...
If that keeps up, Sen. Van Hollen (D-Md.) says he'll go to El Salvador himself this week.
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/04/14/k...
The man accused in a sweeping lawsuit of sexually abusing 60+ boys in his former job at DJS comes from a prominent Baltimore family and worked for city schools as recently as 2020.
It also seems that the civil claims have prompted a criminal probe as well.
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/03/06/f...
It also seems that the civil claims have prompted a criminal probe as well.
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/03/06/f...
Former Baltimore City substitute teacher at center of latest DJS sex abuse allegations
The man accused in a recent civil lawsuit of sexually abusing dozens of youth at one of Maryland’s juvenile detention facilities also worked as a substitute teacher in Baltimore as recently a…
www.baltimoresun.com
March 6, 2025 at 12:40 PM
The man accused in a sweeping lawsuit of sexually abusing 60+ boys in his former job at DJS comes from a prominent Baltimore family and worked for city schools as recently as 2020.
It also seems that the civil claims have prompted a criminal probe as well.
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/03/06/f...
It also seems that the civil claims have prompted a criminal probe as well.
www.baltimoresun.com/2025/03/06/f...
Reposted by Dan Belson
'An open secret:' New suit charges 69 men were sexually abused as children by employee at Hickey School detention center - and Maryland Department of Juvenile Services knew and failed to protect them www.baltimoresun.com/2025/03/04/m... by @danbelson.bsky.social
More than 60 men accuse former DJS employee of sex abuse at Baltimore County youth detention center
A lawsuit filed Tuesday against the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services alleges that a former employee sexually abused scores of children at a facility in Baltimore County over three decades. …
www.baltimoresun.com
March 4, 2025 at 10:35 PM
'An open secret:' New suit charges 69 men were sexually abused as children by employee at Hickey School detention center - and Maryland Department of Juvenile Services knew and failed to protect them www.baltimoresun.com/2025/03/04/m... by @danbelson.bsky.social