BALTIMORE Federal prosecutors announced Friday that Stephen L. Snyder, a well-known Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer, had been found guilty by a federal jury of attempted extortion and seven counts of violating the Travel Act in connection with a $25 million scheme that targeted the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS).
Snyder tried to extort UMMS between January and September 2018 while defending two medical malpractice claimants who claimed harm from organ transplants carried out at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), according to evidence given during the nine-day trial. Separate from any client settlements, Snyder requested $25 million for himself and threatened to harm UMMC’s transplant department’s reputation if the money was not paid.
One of Snyder’s threats was to start a PR campaign in which he accused UMMC of deceiving patients into accepting organs that were unhealthy. He intended to construct internet ads that would reroute search results for UMMC’s transplant program to his law firm’s website, host a press conference, and place a front-page ad in The Baltimore Sun. Additionally, he produced advertisements that he played during meetings with UMMS lawyers, accusing UMMC of putting profits before of safety.
Snyder suggested using a fake consulting agreement to hide the cash. Federal law enforcement used covert cameras to film a meeting on August 23, 2018, and other phone conversations and meetings that documented his demands and threats.
Snyder may spend up to five years in jail for each violation of the Travel Act and up to 20 years in prison on the Hobbs Act extortion charge. On February 25, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., a federal district court judge will sentence the defendant.
U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron complimented Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew P. Phelps and Evelyn L. Cusson for pursuing the case and commended the FBI for their investigation.
The conviction of Snyder demonstrates government efforts to hold those responsible for utilizing intimidation and extortion to profit themselves at the expense of institutions and public confidence.
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