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R C Edition OCEAN PINES • WEST OCEAN CITY • BERLIN MD
April 1, 2026
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER
Volume 3, Issue 24
Former Ocean Pines GM sentenced; timeline of leadership, business interests and oversight concerns comes into focus By Sherrie Clifford ROC Edition Publisher The recent sentencing of former Ocean Pines Association General Manager Brett Hill in a federal payroll tax case is drawing renewed attention to his time in Ocean Pines and the roles he held during that period, as well as individuals connected to events that followed. Hill was convicted on multiple federal counts related to payroll tax violations tied to two telecommunications companies he led. Federal prosecutors said that between 2016 and 2018, Hill withheld federal
income, Social Security and Medicare taxes from employee wages but failed to remit those funds to the Internal Revenue Service, resulting in an estimated tax loss of approximately $2 million. In March 2026, Hill was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay more than $658,000 in restitution. The charges and resulting sentence relate to activities outside of Ocean Pines, as outlined in federal court records. Hill served in Ocean Pines in a dual capacity. He was elected to the
Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors in August 2016 and began serving as interim general manager on Aug. 26 of that year, holding both roles through Sept. 11, 2017. During that same period, Hill also maintained an ownership interest in FTS Fiber, a company involved in a proposed fiber optic infrastructure project within Ocean Pines. Records from a Dec. 5, 2016, Board Work Session show that the FTS Fiber presentation was placed on the agenda by board member Doug Parks at Hill’s request. The presentation, delivered by FTS and
See GM SENTENCED page 2
ROC Edition • Submitted
Former OPA General Manager Brett Hill sentenced to 18 month in prison in federal payroll tax case.
Groundbreaking marks construction of new South Fire Station By Sherrie Clifford ROC Edition Publisher The project to build a new South Fire Station took a significant step forward March 9, as officials and community members gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony at 911 Ocean Parkway. The ceremony, held at the site of the former station next to Ocean Pines Public Works, brought together members of the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department, the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors and local and state officials. Among those in attendance were board
members John Latham, Monica Rakowski, Jeff Heavner, Elaine Brady and Rick Farr. Maryland State Senator Mary Beth Carozza, Delegate Wayne Hartman and Worcester County Commissioner Chip Bertino also attended. The event marks the transition from planning to the next phase of the project, with the site now fully cleared following demolition that began in February. Construction is expected to begin in the coming months. During the ceremony, speakers recognized the Ocean Pines See GROUNDBREAKING page 4
ROC Edition • Sherrie Clifford, Publisher
Officials, OPVFD members and community leaders participate in a ceremonial groundbreaking March 9, using shovels to turn the soil and mark the start of the new South Fire Station project. For more snapshots of the event see page 5.