June 30th, 2016 by WCBC Radio

After only a little more than a year on the job, former Delegate Kevin Kelly has resigned his position on the Maryland Parole Commission. There is some question however as to why he stepped down.

Kelly, who was defeated in the fall of 2014 in his bid for re-election to the House seat he had held for many years, was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan the following February to fill a vacant seat on the commission. It is widely believed that Kelly, a democrat, was appointed by the republican governor because of a shared friendship  with former Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich. Hogan served as Erhlich’s appointments secretary, and is also a  close friend of Ehrlich, while Kelly is a longtime friend having stood as Ehrlich’s best man when he was married.  It has been speculated  that Kelly’s appointment may have simply been a political favor for Ehrlich. 

In the past few days a number of sources told WCBC News that Kelly was essentially asked to step down or else be terminated for what they have referred to as having made “inappropriate comments” to staff members. When contacted by WCBC News Thursday, Kelly denied those accusations saying that the reason he left the position  was because of a lack of adequate compensation for mileage for all of the travel he was required to do as a commission member. 

A public information officer for the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Corrections confirmed to WCBC News that Kelly did resign in early April, but could not comment on any specifics as it is a personnel matter. The Maryland Parole Commission is charged with determining on a case-by-case basis whether inmates serving sentences of six months or more in state or local facilities are suitable for release into the community under certain conditions or supervision. Parole commissioners and hearing officers hold hearings via video conferences and in correctional facilities throughout Maryland.