August 14th, 2020 by WCBC Radio
Maryland lawmakers on Friday called for hearings into why Gov. Larry Hogan’s new chief of staff received a six-figure severance package when he left his job at an independent state agency to work in the governor’s office.
Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Adrienne Jones said in a statement Friday morning it was “truly shocking” that Roy McGrath received a $233,647 payout from the Maryland Environmental Service’s board of directors.
The Baltimore Sun reported that the board approved the payout for McGrath’s voluntary departure in a private online meeting May 28, though the minutes don’t offer a reason for the payment. Hogan's office declined to comment to the newspaper and declined to make McGrath available for an interview.
The governor appoints the Maryland Environmental Service executive director, subject to confirmation by the state Senate.
The current MES executive director, Charles Glass, did not respond Wednesday and Thursday to requests for comment from The Sun. A spokesman for MES did not respond to messages Wednesday, nor did the board members.
August 14, 2020 at 10:53 am, mac said:
Why is anyone surprised that these good old boys (and girls) grease each other’s palms whenever possible. That’s the way business (and government) is done in the big city.
That doesn’t make it right, let’s just call it tradition.
Or maybe McGrath knows where all of the bodies are buried.
August 14, 2020 at 11:54 am, Ron said:
Sure enough mac
August 14, 2020 at 12:55 pm, Kevin said:
Regardless of the party involved, why would anyone be offered severance for voluntarily leaving a state job? That is simply wrong on all levels. This is especially true given how badly state employees in corrections are being treated right now. This needs to be changed. Make yourself useful here, delegates, state senators.
August 16, 2020 at 3:01 am, Joe Wellberg said:
So what. Who cares. Remember Governor Bob Ehrlich being sued for doing his job. I wonder what is the problem.