FBI arrests Dunbar (Maryland) coach Lawrence Smith
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – Just days after its season-opening game with Loyola was halted when gunfire erupted outside of the stadium, just prior to halftime, the Dunbar is dealing with news, today, that head football coach Lawrence Smith has been arrested by the FBI.
The Baltimore Banner reports that the arrest was confirmed by an FBI spokesperson.
Smith, who works as a police detective with Baltimore City Schools, was believed to be the subject of an FBI probe last year when agents visited school headquarters to investigate timecard irregularities and overtime fraud. At the time, no charges were filed and Smith went on to lead Dunbar to its second consecutive state championship.
Lawrence Smith, who has led Dunbar High to seven Maryland State football championships, was arrested on Friday by the FBI on charges related to fraud and tax evasion
Photo by Derek Toney
According to the Baltimore Banner's reporting, federal prosecutors accused Smith of fraudulently obtaining more than $215,000 in overtime pay, attempting to avoid paying federal income taxes, and of filing a false tax return. The prosecutors allege he collected overtime pay between 2019 and 2022 when he wasn’t working but instead running personal errands, socializing, coaching football and on vacation. He allegedly failed to file tax returns for 2017, 2019 and 2020 while filing a false return for 2018.
Smith, 49, had just started his 23rd year working at Dunbar and his 16th season as the school's head football coach. The Poets have won a Maryland record 12 state championship, with seven those coming with Smith as the head coach. He is scheduled to appear in federal court on Friday afternoon.
The Poets are scheduled to face Dunbar (DC) on Friday evening.
