BREAKING NEWS: Ethics Complaint Filed Against Misuse of Executives & County Council Office Including Pollitt, Brooks and Creamer

Dated October 31, 2014
From the Wicomico County Republican Central Committee
To Mr. Edgar A. Baker, Jr., Wicomico County Attorney

The Wicomico County Republican Central Committee is deeply concerned that recent actions by elected and appointed Wicomico County officials were in direct violation of §37, the Wicomico County Ethics Law - and likely also the Maryland Ethics law.

The Brown/Ulman gubernatorial campaign recently scheduled a “press conference” in Salisbury claiming “to discuss” Hogan’s alleged plan to make a $450 million cut to school construction on the Eastern Shore. That alleged cut is clearly part of the political dialog which typically occurs during campaigns for office, and as such is clearly more a scare tactic than a reliable statement of fact. At best it is a partisan political disagreement.

However, as the attached email indicates, Tamara Lee-Brooks, the Wicomico Public Information Officer, honored a request (from an unnamed source) to forward the announcement of Brown’s partisan press conference, and Matt Creamer, the Wicomico County Council Administrator, further forwarded this request (as a media advisory). Members of the media consequently reported this so-called press conference, apparently actually attended by Brown. Regardless of the number of individuals to whom this request was forwarded, the County time and other County resources consumed are what are what we believe were unethical.

As we understand the law, these were obviously partisan political actions taken in support of the Brown/Ulman campaign. Consequently, using County Offices, County email, and County employee time to forward Brown’s partisan announcement were are all violations of ethics laws. Because County Executive Rick Pollitt is not only ultimately responsible for supervising Tamara Lee-Brooks but because he also serves as Brown’s local campaign manager, an investigation will likely identify others who used County resources to promote the Brown/Ulman campaign.

Accordingly, with this letter I am, in accordance with instructions I received from your office by telephone, herewith submitting to you a formal ethics complaint on behalf of the WCRCC for you to deliver to the Wicomico County Ethics Commission for their action. Moreover, I’m requesting that the Commission first thoroughly investigate, then determine and publically identify and announce both what ethical violations have taken place (and by whom) and what corrective measures will be taken to prevent similar violations in the future.

On the other hand, if overt partisan political activity using County time and resources is not a violation of law, then please so inform me, in writing, that this is the case, citing the appropriate legal authorities.

Signed by Dave Parker, WCRCCChairman

From: Matt CreamerSent: Friday, October 17, 2014 11:25 AMTo: All County Council

UsersSubject: FW: Media Advisory

Forwarded by request.

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From: Tamara Lee-Brooks Sent: Friday, October 17, 2014 10:03 AMSubject: Media Advisory

Good morning all,

I was asked to forward for your attention. Thanks!

FOR ADVISORY PURPOSES

Friday, October 17, 2014
Contact:
Jerid Kurtz: 443-297-7702
JeridKurtz@AnthonyBrown.com
Press Office: 240-478-6488
Press@AnthonyBrown.com

FRIDAY: Anthony Brown, Rick Pollitt, Jim Ireton to Hold Press Conference on Harm Larry Hogan’s $450 Million Cut to School Construction Would Cause to the Eastern Shore Hogan’s “Savings Plan” includes a $450 Million Cut to School Construction Funding that Would Threaten Projects - like Bennett Middle School- Throughout the Eastern Shore

Upper Marlboro, MD - On Friday at 11:00 a.m., Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt, and Salisbury Mayor Jim Ireton will hold a press conference to discuss the harm that Republican Larry Hogan’s $450 million cut to school construction would have on the Eastern Shore.

These cuts are contained in Hogan’s so-called savings plan -- a plan whose numbers the Baltimore Sun noted “don’t add up.”

Hogan’s proposed $450 million cut to school construction could put projects like the construction of Bennett Middle School out of reach for many communities along the Eastern Shore. For the next four years, counties across the Eastern Shore have requested millions in state funding for repairs and renovations in order to modernize their classrooms and deal with overcrowding. But school construction cuts could put all of these local projects at risk.

What:
Press Conference to discuss the harm Larry Hogan’s $450 million cut to school construction would cause to the Eastern Shore’s public schools.

When:
Friday, October 17th at 11:00 a.m.

Where:
Outside of Bennett Middle School
523 South Division Street, Fruitland, MDClick here for a map.

###

Sincerely,
Tamara Lee-Brooks
Public Information Officer
Wicomico County, MD
410-548-4801
www.wicomicocounty.org
facebook.com/CountyExecPollitt@Rick_Pollitt