I find it hard to believe that the bills were paid. When I pay my bills I'm not taken into court and charged late fees and penalties. Why can't you tell the truth Mr. Benoit. Your lies insult our intelligence.

Looks like wifey got caught. Kari...you got some splaining to do!

I am having trouble with PNC bank also!

@ Rebecca The Benoit's are not having trouble with PNC Bank. They are having trouble with paying their bills.

Scott, why do you say that everything surrounding this store is shady? Just curious if I am missing the big picture. I didn't live in the area when the store was first approved. To me, the store seems to have become a Piney Orchard staple over the past six years. Is it the store that is shady or the people running it?

Why is this even news? Does Patch report on the financial status of other local establishments? This is between the Benoits and the bank, and quite frankly it'snone of our business!

Scott be careful for speaking the truth about Benoit they might ban you from posting on the site like they have done to my husband.

@ David Because he is an elected official. What concerns me is if he cant handle his family's finance how can he handle the county's finances.

We also have had issues with PNC on an auto loan ... Our loan reflected an incorrect vehicle, insurance, AND applicant! The dealer and insurance paperwork were all correctly filed and simply poorly handled at PNC. My trust for that lender has vaporized and don't trust them any farther than I can throw 'em. Not to say its all the bank in this situation but just sayin' ...

It's sad to think that someone considers a year old liquor store a staple of the community. Piney Orchard and Odenton have much more to offer. Unfortunately for all of us here in Odenton, unless you have political ties Mr Benoit cares cares nothing for the community he serves just his own stake in it. I am glad he rubbed somebody the wrong way a sliver of truth came out. If you really look into Mr Benoit's past, this is just the tip of the iceberg!

I meant to say a 6 year old liquor store. Either way a liquor store should never be a staple of a community. Maybe a 100 old building (which its not in, but a liquor store? Really) I guess dunkin doughnuts, food lion, etc are too. How bout Orchard Cafe, they have been there as long, have the local community working oh and have people from the community decorating their walls, that's what Odentons about, not liquor stores. For that you can go to boom town or maybe Odenton Liquors which has been there at least 3 times as long in the original shopping center.

The Benoit's look worse for this because of the pathetic attempt at covering this up. Own up to your mistakes. Do the right thing and pay your bills.

Busted! Honesty, should we really expect anything less from this lovely politician & his wife? This isn't about a liquor store in sweet little Odenton people, this is about the lies & deceipt of local public figures (shocking). Shame on the Benoits. Go PNC!

Can't wait to vote for all of the ANONYMOUS 'Saints' in this thread when they run for office? The sage wisdom of 'The Truth' is just what this county needs.

@ Cindy. Never said I was a saint. But I do pay my bills. Never taken to court for non payment of bills.

I went into the store mid day about 1 year ago to buy a small bottle of red wine for beef stew. It was very strange. The store was dark inside, 4 people hung about the counter, there were 3-4 men hanging out on the right side of the store. I walked slowly around looking for the wine, no one asked to help me. As I headed toward the front door, I saw the men just watching me. It was a very strange experience - I don't really know what threir business is, will be glad to see it gone.

I've deleted a couple of comments here because they contain accusations without evidence, as well as some factual inaccuracies.

Benoit's finances aside (though I do agree that as an elected official his financial dealings are relevant, politicians can be influenced, especially if they could use some money) I just want to defend the fact there is a liquor store in Piney Orchard, liquor store has a connotation as a store with barred windows sitting on the corner or a rough neighborhood. While there are indeed options in Odenton to get your beer and liquor Hops and Vines is designed to cater to a demographic looking for a diverse selection of wines and micro-brews, your aren't going to find those products at the stores in Odenton and if you want to say "drive 20 minutes to Corridor" then let's apply that logic to all establishments and close the shopping plaza and everyone can drive elsewhere, just because you may not be looking for a store like Hops and Vines doesn't mean that there aren't a lot of people that are glad it is so close and frequently go there. I don't think we are really in any position to pick and choose retailers atthe marketplace because some people are against drinking. There are too many empty slots up there as there is. I will agree that the staff is basically there to ring you up and do not walk the floor interacting with customers, maybe the new ownership will fix this, sometimes it's nice to get wine recommendations from an knowledgable source, same goes for micro brews.

I agree with you Double D. I think it is nice to have a store with a nice selection of micro-brews in town. If you don't like to drink alcohol you don't have to shop there.

Anyone who calls themselves, the "The Truth" is suspect from the get- go. Just saying'.

@ Stan do you have anything relevant to add to the conversation or do you just like to make stupid comments?

Again, I'm not going to accept accusations of wrongdoing without evidence. Such comments will be deleted. This is not a forum to insinuate or make statements without facts to support them.

Thanks for the updates Dave. I think we all know the truth about this. Lawyers do what lawyers do. The bottom line is that this is his wife's albatrose (sp?) and she needs to be held accountable. Maybe the terms of the pending sale included the new owner making the payments. If his wife ever stumps for him we can ask him those questions then. I do agree with most of what you say.

Take care

seems like a lot of people are taking advantage of this news on there personal relation or political relation with these family.. anyways we are not dumb people of odenton.. Please send your credit score "the truth".

Anyone here want to discus there bed experience with banks??

This issue would be very easy for the Benoit's to clear up. All they have to do is produce the cancelled checks or other proof of payment. If I were in their shoes and I made the payments I would want to clear my name. This has to be embarrassing to them.

why they have to produce there proof to you or anyone??.. I am less bother about these.. now i am wondering why you have so much interest on news are you running for any position?? Please these is between bank and Benoit.. why we care about these?? everyone make mistake and might be these is honest mistake from them and Did PNC provided any written note that Mr. and Ms.Benoit are not ready to pay loan?

They don't have to prove it to me personally but I would like my councilman not to have judgements against him. I only brought that up as a way to clear his name.

I had worse experience with bank, BGE, Verizon and UPC so that doesn't mean they are right... that means I don't have money to fight with those big corporates.

I know him since so long and I know these things made to just destroy his political position who getting bigger and bigger everyday but dont worry Mr.Benoit Odenton people will stick with you.. you also Ex-army so please fight till end and fight hard..

More like Mr. Wrong......

First, as a public figure with responsibility for our tax dollars, we have every right to know about the business dealings of anyone on the council (shady or not).

Secondly, there is no vast right wing conspiracy that prevented the Benoits from paying their loans. It is highly unlikely that the bank would take this action if they had been making regular payments. They were told they were in default in September!

No one is out to get them. Please!

Mr. Benoit has always been "ethically challenged". His ethical compass doesn't always point North.

A Google search reveals an article published in The Capital from 2010 when Scott Dibasso ran for state office where he acknowledges that he declared bankruptcy. Pot, meet Kettle.