Tawanna Phyllis Gaines (February 1, 1952 – November 12, 2022) was an American politician who represented District 22 in the Maryland House of Delegates from December 2001 to October 2019. She resigned in the face of federal corruption charges and in 2020 was sentenced to six months in prison.

Background

Gaines was born in Washington, DC, on February 1, 1952. She attended District of Columbia Teachers College, 1970-72.

In the legislature

Gaines had been a member of House of Delegates since December 21, 2001 when she was appointed by Governor Parris Glendening to fill the vacancy of Richard Palumbo who himself had been appointed judge to the District Court of Maryland for Prince George's County. She was appointed by the Speaker to be Deputy Majority Whip in 2003. She served on the House Appropriations Committee and was the Chairwoman of the Appropriations Sub Committee on Transportation and the Environment, in addition to the capital budget subcommittees. She was also a member of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland. Gaines resigned from the legislature on October 4, 2019 and on October 7 was charged with federal wire fraud for using over $22,000 of campaign money for personal use. Her daughter and campaign treasurer subsequently pled guilty in November 2019 to wire fraud, admitting using campaign funds for personal use. On January 3, 2020, Gaines was sentenced to six months in prison for one count of wire fraud.

Legislative notes

Death

Gaines died from bladder cancer on November 12, 2022, at the age of 70.