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Monday, January 09, 2012

Governor O'Malley Yet To Accept Responsibility For Stewart Debacle



Gov. O'Malley Should Accept Blame or Fire Those Who Failed to Properly Vet Stewart



ANNAPOLIS - Richard Stewart, long time political ally of Govenor O'Malley and the only civilian commissioner on the Governor's Redistricting Advisory Committee, plead guilty to tax evasion in federal court last month. When Gov. O'Malley was questioned as to how someone engaged in criminal activities and under criminal investigation could receive such appointment O'Malley responded that he was "clueless" and "shocked."

If O'Malley was indeed clueless, as he claimed, then how come not one of the eight people in his office charged with overseeing appointments made him aware of the situation? Was it due to the fact that Mr. Stewart's qualifications did not matter because the appointment was made as a quid pro quo or, did the Governor's staff fail to properly vet Mr. Stewart?

Unless Governor O'Malley is willing to accept the blame for the failed Stewart appointment, the Maryland Republican Party thinks Governor O'Malley should fire the individuals within his administration who failed to conduct a proper investigation into Richard Stewart's background and qualifications.

David Ferguson, Executive Director of the Maryland Republican Party, commented by saying, "Is the single-most important appointment in the state for sale? Especially when the appointed one has no experience and no knowledge of drawing legislative districts. The Democrats continue to follow their version of the Golden Rule: He who has the gold makes the rules."

Potentially Responsible Staffers:
Rick Abbruzzese, Director of Public Affairs
Matthew D. Gallagher, Chief of Staff
John D. Ratliff, Director of Policy
Joseph C. Bryce, Chief Legislative Officer
Colin Taylor, Research Manager & Speech Coordinator
Elizabeth F. Harris, Chief Legal Counsel
Jeanne D. Hitchcock, Esq, Secretary of Appointments

http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/08conoff/html/01govf.html#appointments

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