Newly released FBI documents reveal that the late Peter Angelos, the longtime principal owner of the Baltimore Orioles, was investigated twice by federal authorities during his lifetime. These investigations, conducted in the mid-1980s and late 1990s, ended without any charges being filed against him.
Investigation 1: Asbestos Screening Practices
In 1984, federal prosecutors launched an investigation into Angelos’s clinic, Medical Resource Management, located in Northeast Baltimore. The clinic operated in the same building as Angelos’s law office and the International Union of Operating Engineers, offering chest X-rays to union workers from Bethlehem Steel Company to detect asbestos exposure.
- The clinic billed Blue Cross Blue Shield, Bethlehem’s health insurer, nearly $27,000 for these X-rays.
- Later, Blue Cross discovered that the X-rays were conducted without a physician present and solely to identify asbestos symptoms, which were not covered under the insurance plan.
- This raised concerns over fraudulent medical billing and embezzlement of union funds.
Despite a grand jury investigation and search warrants being executed at Angelos’s clinic and law firm, prosecutors declined to press charges in December 1987.
Investigation 2: Influence on Tobacco Legislation
In 1998, during Maryland’s lawsuit against major tobacco companies, Angelos represented the state in legal proceedings. Around the same time, state lawmakers proposed a bill aimed at making it easier to admit statistical evidence in court.
- The bill faced strong opposition from Republican senators, who threatened to filibuster the legislation.
- The FBI launched an investigation into allegations that Angelos influenced a Democratic senator’s vote in favor of the bill by offering campaign contributions.
- Angelos denied any wrongdoing, and the investigation concluded in June 1999 with no charges filed.
Community Reactions
The release of these FBI files has sparked widespread surprise within the Baltimore community. Many individuals who were directly involved at the time expressed shock, with some stating that they were previously unaware of the investigations.
FAQs
What did the FBI investigate Peter Angelos for?
Angelos was investigated twice—first in the mid-1980s over asbestos screenings at his clinic, and later in the late 1990s for allegedly using political influence to shape tobacco legislation.
Did authorities ever file charges against Peter Angelos?
No, Angelos was never charged in either of the FBI investigations.
How has the community reacted to these revelations?
Many in the Baltimore community, including those involved at the time, expressed shock and disbelief, as the investigations were not widely known.
These revelations provide a complex view of Peter Angelos’s career, highlighting both his business influence and the legal challenges he navigated throughout his life.
