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R C Edition OCEAN PINES • WEST OCEAN CITY • BERLIN MD
July 7, 2026
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER
Volume 3, Issue 27
Federal fugitive captured: Herbert Kimble returned to U.S.; court records connect $1.2 billion Medicare fraud cases By Sherrie Clifford ROC Edition Publisher Herbert “Herb” Kimble, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States in connection with a Medicare fraud scheme, has been captured in the Philippines and deported to the United States after spending months as a federal fugitive. Kimble, 60, was arrested on June 11 in Pasig City by agents of the Philippine Bureau of Immigration’s Fugitive Search Unit working alongside government intelligence
officers. The arrest came after Kimble was identified as a highpriority target by the FBI. He was deported to the United States on June 18 and has since been permanently placed on the Philippine Bureau of Immigration’s blacklist. In announcing the arrest, Philippine Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado emphasized his country’s commitment to preventing the Philippines from becoming a safe haven for international fugitives. “The Philippines will not serve as a sanctuary for fugitives seeking to evade justice in their home
countries. This arrest demonstrates our commitment to working closely with international law enforcement partners to ensure that foreign nationals who pose a threat to public safety are located, arrested and removed from our communities.” The arrest followed a directive from Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen border security and prevent the Philippines from becoming a refuge for foreign fugitives. According to federal authorities, Kimble controlled and operated an See FUGITIVE CAPTURED page 2
Herbert Kimble, a federal fugitive charged for his involvement in a $1.2 billion Medicare scheme, was apprehended in the Philippines. He now awaits his sentencing in South Carolina.
Worcester votes out three incumbents, commissioner hopefuls advance to November general election By Santino Guido ROC Edition Editor The Worcester County Board of County Commissioners is poised to assume a new form this election cycle, with several districts voting in challengers over incumbents during the primary election. Winners will now move on to the general election in November, uncontested in most cases. The latest results remain unofficial, as certification is still ongoing. In District 1, incumbent Caryn Abbott (R) won with 53.32% of the vote. Challengers Laura Morrison (R) and Shaun Shockley (R) received the leftover 34.39% and
12.29%, respectively. No Democratic candidates ran in the election, meaning Abbott will run uncontested in the general election. In District 2, challenger Roxie Dennis (D) defeated incumbent Diana Purnell (D), having received 58.10% of the vote. Purnell received the other 41.90%. No Republican candidates ran in the election. In District 3, incumbent Eric Fiori (R) won with 58.58% of the vote. Challenger Tim vanVonno (R) received the other 41.42%. No Democratic candidates ran in the election. In District 4, challenger Steve Green (R) defeated both incumbent Ted Elder (R) and fellow challenger
Virgil Shockley (R), winning 49.38% of the vote. Elder and Shockley received the other 30.08% and 20.54%, respectively. No Democratic candidates ran in the election. In District 5, Vicky Wallace (D) won the Democratic vote, having ran uncontested. Challenger Joe Schanno (R) won the Republican vote with 51.70%, with incumbent Chip Bertino (R) receiving the other 48.30%. Schanno and Wallace will compete for the position in the general election. In District 6, Lou Taylor (R) defeated Sherrie Clifford (R), having won 69.52% of the vote. Clifford received the other 30.48%. No Democratic candidates ran in
the election, and former District 6 Commissioner Jim Bunting decided not to run. In District 7, incumbent Joseph Mitrecic (R) ran uncontested, winning 100% of the vote. With all but one district having been filed by a single party, the composition of the county commissioner board is, in essence, finalized and unlikely to change drastically come the general election. Residents are reminded that early voting for the general election takes place Oct. 22-29, with the general election day landing on Nov. 3.