Tawanna P. Gaines

Tawanna Phyllis Gaines (February 1, 1952 – November 12, 2022) was an American politician who represented District 22 in the Maryland House of Delegates from December 2001 to October 2019. She resigned in the face of federal corruption charges and in 2020 was sentenced to six months in prison.

Tawanna P. Gaines
Tawanna P. Gaines
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 22nd district
In office
December 21, 2001[1] – October 4, 2019[1]
Serving with Anne Healey (D)
Alonzo T. Washington (D)
Preceded byRichard Palumbo (D)
Succeeded byNicole A. Williams (D)
ConstituencyPrince George's County
Mayor, Town of Berwyn Heights
In office
2000–2001[1]
Preceded byWilliam T. Armistead Jr.
Succeeded byRonald M. Shane
Council member, Town of Berwyn Heights
In office
1998–2000[1]
Personal details
Born(1952-02-01)February 1, 1952[1]
Washington, D.C., U.S.
DiedNovember 12, 2022(2022-11-12) (aged 70)
Lanham, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children2[1]
ResidenceBerwyn Heights, Maryland
EducationDistrict of Columbia Teachers College, 1970-72[1]
Towson University, Realtors Institute of Maryland, Associate Broker, 1981[2]
OccupationPolitician, University staff

Background

Gaines was born in Washington, DC, on February 1, 1952. She attended District of Columbia Teachers College, 1970-72.

In the legislature

Gaines had been a member of House of Delegates since December 21, 2001 when she was appointed by Governor Parris Glendening to fill the vacancy of Richard Palumbo who himself had been appointed judge to the District Court of Maryland for Prince George's County. She was appointed by the Speaker to be Deputy Majority Whip in 2003. She served on the House Appropriations Committee and was the Chairwoman of the Appropriations Sub Committee on Transportation and the Environment, in addition to the capital budget subcommittees. She was also a member of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland.

Gaines resigned from the legislature on October 4, 2019 and on October 7 was charged with federal wire fraud for using over $22,000 of campaign money for personal use.[3] Her daughter and campaign treasurer subsequently pled guilty in November 2019 to wire fraud, admitting using campaign funds for personal use. On January 3, 2020, Gaines was sentenced to six months in prison for one count of wire fraud.[4]

Legislative notes
  • voted for the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2007 (HB359)[5]
  • voted against slots in 2005 (HB1361)[6]
  • voted for the Tax Reform Act of 2007 (HB2)[7]

Death

Gaines died from bladder cancer on November 12, 2022, at the age of 70.[8]

References
  1. "Tawanna P. Gaines, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. October 7, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  2. "Tawanna Gaines' Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  3. Wood, Pamela (October 7, 2019). "Prince George's delegate charged with wire fraud, resigns from Maryland General Assembly". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  4. Thompson, Steve (January 3, 2020). "Former Maryland lawmaker Tawanna Gaines sentenced for federal wire fraud". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  5. "BILL INFO-2007 Regular Session-HB 359". mlis.state.md.us.
  6. "2005 Regular Session - Vote Record 0152". mlis.state.md.us.
  7. "HB 2 Third Reading" (PDF). mdchamber.org. Maryland Chamber of Commerce. November 11, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 9, 2012.
  8. Beachum, Lathesia; Wiggins, Ovetta (November 15, 2022). "Former Maryland delegate Tawanna Gaines dies at 70". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
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