O’Malley Aides Praise Each Other For Cover-Up…Then Go On Vacation

ANNAPOLIS – The Bob Ehrlich for Maryland campaign today released a second round of emails between Governor Martin O’Malley’s advisors that shed additional light on the O’Malley Administration’s strategy to cover up a July Jobs Report that repudiated O’Malley’s upbeat assessment of Maryland’s economy. The emails were obtained through Public Information Act requests.

“It’s bad enough that Martin O’Malley and his advisors have to make stuff up – now they actually have to cover stuff up,” said Ehrlich Communications Director Henry Fawell. “With 216,000 Marylanders currently standing in the unemployment line, the citizens of Maryland deserve to know government jobs reports have not been tampered with or suppressed by their governor’s advisors for campaign purposes. Clearly, that standard has been flouted under Martin O’Malley.”

Highlights of the newest emails include Governor O’Malley Cabinet Secretary Alex Sanchez congratulating his staff for suppressing the pessimistic jobs report and replacing it with an edited version that supported O’Malley’s campaign speeches. On the day the report is suppressed, Sanchez’s Communications Director notifies Martin O’Malley’s press secretary that he is going on, “an extraordinarily well-time vacation.” A complete list of the emails can be viewed by clicking here.  Highlights include:

Friday August 20, 2010, 9:12 PM: O’Malley’s DLLR Cabinet Secretary Alex Sanchez emails DLLR staff with the subject line, “many, many thanks – and aftermath.” Sanchez states he wants to thank staff for all their hard work and “professionalism” that “pulled us through a difficult situation.”  He concludes that he is very pleased with the fact that he can count on them “no matter what the circumstances.” (See page: 18)

Friday August 20, 2010, 9:06 PM: DLLR Communications Director Bernie Kohn emails Martin O’Malley’s spokesman, Shaun Adamec, letting him know that Washington Post and Baltimore Sun reporters are inquiring about the censored report.  He goes on to remark about what an “ugly” day it had been and thanks Shaun for his “guidance in helping limit the damage.” He concludes this email by stating “I will be on an, if I may say myself, extraordinarily well timed vacation next week.” (See page: 19)

Friday August 20, 2010, 9:15 PM: Shaun Adamec replies to Bernie Kohn telling him to have “fun” on his vacation. (See page: 19)