Baltimore, Maryland – On Friday, November 22, 2024, after a nine-day trial, a federal jury found Stephen L. Snyder of Baltimore, Maryland guilty of one count of Attempted Extortion and seven counts of the Travel Act. The guilty verdict was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland and Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
The evidence at trial showed that Snyder, a plaintiffs medical malpractice attorney in the Baltimore area, represented two medical malpractice claimants who allegedly experienced injury following organ transplants at the University of Maryland Medical Center (“UMMC”). One of those claimants received a kidney transplant. From in or around January 2018 through September 2018, Snyder attempted to extort the University of Maryland Medical System (“UMMS”) by threatening to “destroy” the UMMC transplant department unless UMMS paid him $25 million personally, and separate from any settlement with his client.
Specifically, Snyder threatened a public relations campaign that would falsely accuse UMMC of tricking unsophisticated patients into accepting diseased organs. Snyder claimed that he would run a front-page ad in the Baltimore Sun, hold a press conference, and create an internet advertisement that would direct anyone searching for the UMMC transplant program to his law firm’s website. Snyder also threatened to release commercials that he created that conveyed his false message and accused UMMC of putting “profits over safety.” Snyder played these commercials during meetings with attorneys representing UMMS. Snyder claimed that the parties could enter into a sham consulting agreement that would provide cover for the $25 million payment.
Snyder made his extortionate demands and threats over a series of meetings and phone calls with attorneys for UMMS in 2018. One of those meetings, which occurred on August 23, 2018, was recorded by Federal law enforcement using hidden video cameras.
Snyder faces a maximum sentence of 20 years of incarceration for the Hobbs Act violation and up to 5 years of incarceration on each Travel Act violation. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is currently scheduled for February 25, 2025 at 10:00 am.
U.S. Attorney Barron commended the FBI for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew P. Phelps and Evelyn L. Cusson, who prosecuted the federal case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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