After an 18-month grand jury investigation, Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Matthews has been arrested on charges of perjury, says District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman.
While picking up his morning coffee at a local Wawa Tuesday, Matthews was arrested, authorities say.
Matthews was arraigned Tuesday on perjury and false-swearing charges and released on $50,000 unsecured bail.
The arrest is a result of an investigation into campaign contributions and expenses reported by Matthews.
The alleged "lie" is that Matthews denied having any business dealings with "Certified Abstract," a title company that was to do business with the county. Ferman says that Matthews lied about having a financial stake in the company.
The investigation also concerned breakfast meetings between Matthews, another commissioner and other county officials. Ferman says those meetings appeared to be improper but there was not sufficient evidence to establish they were in violation of the state's Sunshine Act.
Matthews is retiring at the end of his term this year. On Tuesday he resigned from his chairmanship, but he still intends to serve the remainder of his term as commissioner.
He is the brother of MSNBC’s “Hardball” host Chris Matthews.
