A former Prince George’s County Council member is out of jail and now serving as the chief of staff for another lawmaker from his old chamber.

Jamel “Mel” Franklin announced his return to politics on social media last week, saying he was working under Council member Calvin Hawkins, roughly a month after he was released from jail following his corruption conviction for using campaign cash for personal reasons. 

“I look forward to this new opportunity to serve. Thank you Councilmember Hawkins!” Franklin wrote in a July 22 social media post.

The Washington Times called a cell phone number last associated with Franklin, but did not receive an answer. The Times also contacted Mr. Hawkins for comment.

Mr. Hawkins did tell Maryland Matters, which first reported Franklin’s new job, that he believed Franklin’s “contrition was sincere and evident.” 

“His call to serve still shone brightly,” Mr. Hawkins, at large Democrat, told the news site in a statement. “In that moment, I was moved to offer him the role as my Chief of Staff.”

His reported salary is $72,000.

Franklin, 50, pleaded guilty last year to theft and perjury charges for using more than $133,000 in campaign contributions to pay for dinners, hotels, personal trips abroad and even cosmetic procedures for himself and a friend. He also used the money to pay down credit card debt and cover his rent. 

Prosecutors said the scheme lasted between 2014-23 because Franklin was the only person with access to his Friends of Mel Franklin campaign committee’s finances, allowing him to act as the de facto committee treasurer.

Franklin abruptly resigned from his council position last June before the charges were made public. His resignation ended a 14-year tenure in Prince George’s politics in which he served as the District 9 representative on the council before being twice elected as an at-large Democrat.

During his November sentencing hearing, Franklin apologized for his actions while his defense team sought to avoid jail time for the crimes.

The hearing also included letters of support from Prince George’s County Council Chairman Edward Burroughs III and State Sen. Joanne Benson. Neither could be reached for comment on this story.

Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Mark Crooks ultimately handed down separate five-year sentences for the theft and perjury convictions, but suspended almost the entire prison term except for one year on the theft conviction. The former lawmaker will remain on probation for the next three years. 

Franklin’s attorneys said they would pursue a sentence modification, which appears to have been granted since Franklin was back on social media by mid-June — about seven months after he went to jail.

• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.