Maryland panel votes to subpoena Hogan's ex-chief of staff

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A Maryland legislative panel voted unanimously Wednesday to subpoena Gov. Larry Hogan's former chief of staff, who resigned last month over a six-figure payment he received from a state agency as he left to work in the governor's office.

In a bipartisan 24-0 vote, the Legislative Policy Committee subpoenaed Roy McGrath to testify before the legislature's Joint Committee on Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight. That panel has held hearings on the payment to McGrath, who was chairman of the board at the Maryland Environmental Service.

“Viewed on its own, it is disturbing enough that there seemed to be a complete lack of responsibility over spending and executive-level decisions," said Sen. Clarence Lam, a Democrat who co-chairs the oversight panel. “I’m also worried that it points to a troublesome pattern of personnel problems, particularly when it comes the administration’s political appointees.”

McGrath has declined requests to appear before the committee to answer questions. Lawmakers say they need more information.

“The joint committee has made a strong case and laid out the fact that they don’t have the information they need to do their functions in oversight, and there needs to be accountability," Sen. Melony Griffith, a Prince George's County Democrat, said before the vote to issue subpoenas.

Lawmakers also voted to subpoena Matthew Sherring, a former MES employee who lawmakers say submitted expenditures on McGrath's behalf.

McGrath became Hogan’s chief of staff on June 1 after more than three years as head of MES. He received about $233,000, a year’s salary, and a tuition reimbursement of $5,250 when he voluntarily left to work for the governor. McGrath resigned Aug. 17, two days after he defended the payout. Questions also have been raised about roughly...