I recently got off the phone with States Attorney Matt Maciarello to confirm the changes we spoke of earlier today.
Liz Ireland and Fran Starsky have been dismissed of their positions. Joel Todd and Karen Dean have been hired to replace them.
Ella Disharoon has been promoted to Deputy States Attorney and has been, (shall we say) Davis Ruark's right hand person during the Leggs Trial.
Abby Marsh went from part time to full time.
I may have some names spelled wrong. If I have, I'm sorry.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
41 comments:
Liz Ireland was one of the best in the office. This stinks.
Congrats to Ella ! She will serve well for the citizens of Wicomico County ! Now Matt what are you thinking by bringing Todd to Wicomico County ?
I know these might be rude questions, but...
1. Was this politics, or is this really a complete changing of the guard?
2. Will this mean actual penalties for crimes, or yet more folks handing out PBJ sandwiches?
It is no longer Davis Ruark's office... Matt deserves to pick his own team... He is certainly has to hit the ground running!!
Liz was there for 24 years, it's a shame to lose her.
Does Liz getting let go seem like the way a 24 year dedicated person should be dealt with, I think not. You cant escape politics can ya.
bout time stet starky was gotten rid of! talk about worthless!
He is way out of his league.
Love Matt, but really wonder what's in store for us with Joel Todd.
"Stet Starkey" lol
She is deserving of this name though!
When can we fire Ireton? Waiting until the next election is gonna take too long
Wow! I was really excited when Matt was elected. I voted for him (as well as many others)because I thought he was the best man for the job. Matt, what are you doing? Liz Ireland was one of the most dedicated/honest/hard working people you could have had working for you and you choose Joel Todd to replace her? Really? With the dishonesty he showed during his election? Everyone knows Liz supported Sam Vincent 100%. Davis,was this a suggestion to Matt for payback purposes only? Shame on you.
I guess we're trying to play Monday morning quarterback. There are obviously many things we don't know that played into Maciarello's decisions as to whom to let go and whom to keep or hire. From the little I know about Liz Ireland (I've watched her in action in front of juries, and I know of her reputation in looking out for our most vulnerable), perhaps there are many things that we aren't aware of. I also have known Fran Starkey since high school,but I am not so familiar with her abilities as a prosecuting attorney. Yes, no doubt politics played an important role, but why should we be surprised at that? That is reality. Whatever decision were made, only Maciarello really knows the background behind them. The bottom line: He must feel comfortable with those who are working for him, just as Davis Ruark had to.
We elect a republican and what does he do, hire two ousted democrats. What am I missing? I think the people were fed up with Ruark, Todd, Dean, Hickman and that is why we have three new prosecutors. We wanted new faces, not the same old ones in different offices still on the state payroll.
Matt, I want my vote back for getting rid of Liz Ireland.She was the reason I voted for you.
Who are these new hires and why were they selected?
Good bye Liz.... enough is enough! Maybe old Beau might give you a job?
1040 you have some very good points and 1041 I think you are speaking for a large group of people. we had such high expectations and now, poof! How can you make so many bad decisions so quickly? Liz was tough on the crimes she prosecuted. There was a lot of stink how the other counties handled their politics, can't wait to see how this one is going to play out. If the Leggs trial goes south, O man, is there going to be a problem. Houston, we have liftoff!
Matt, you do what you have to do. It's your office now, go get 'em.
Matt is on a path for failure. Liz Ireland would have supported Matt 100%. Yes she did support Sam Vincent for all the right reasons, mainly do to the fact that Davis Ruark lost control of the office via his personal life that included his family.
I would like to hear what Ms Ireland has to say, she is allowed her opinion NOW isnt she. She lost her job but the community lost a protector of the young and vulnerable.
Letting Starkey go is understandable, look at her record of convictions. Letting Ireland go? What is Maciarello thinking? This smells to high heaven of Ruark's vindictiveness. When Sam Vincent threw his hat in the ring Ruark demanded undated resignations of Sam and anyone supporting Sam. Maciarello was put up by the local Republican club, the same people that gave the city Louise Smith. As we've kept our eyes on Louise we'll keep both eyes on Maciarello. It didn't take him long to learn how to play the game of the good ole boys. Hiring Joel Todd is a slap in the face of justice after the way he ran his dirty campaign. Wicomico County these are our prosecutors, lets keep a watch on those court briefs...STET, NOL PROSQUI, PBJ. All the pleas offered defendants by the office of the States Attorney.
Off-topic, when is the Leggs trial?
Both were let go because they are dead wieght in that office.Matt has great managing skills unlike Davis. To all you liz cry babies get over it there is a new states attorney get use to it!!!!!
@8:21: Davis demanded the resignation of Sam, not those supporting him. This is because the county charter prohibits anyone from running for an elected office while employed by the county. Educate yourself before posting inflamatory and defamitory remarks.
8:48, You have it twisted. Davis asked for the resignation of anyone running (Sam) and anyone that was promised employment based on that person's election (ie, anyone who supported Sam). I saw that horrible email with my own two eyes so why don't YOU educate yourself (and learn some spelling while you're at it) before posting inaccuracies.
And to everyone else, what you don't know is how cold heartedly they were fired. Liz was handed a letter with no explanation. Fran found out because all of a sudden she couldn't log into her computer! I mean really. After the many years of services from these two, this is what they get from someone who was supposed to bring class back into the office? Sam would be so ashamed.
Joel Todd?? Are you serious?
Liz Ireland was instrumental in founding the wicimico county child advocacy center and fought tirelessly to protect vulnerable adults from abuse. After 24 years of service full of Passion for protecting the rights of those who often could not speak up for themselves and paying the price that such work takes .... and this is how she is rewarded. Her dedication and experience will be put to use by whoever is smart enough to offer her a position - and their gain will definitely be Wicimico's loss.
8:21, you are misinformed when you state that Maciarello was "put up by the local Republican club." I am very active in the WCRC. Many in the club were going to support Sam Vincent, a Repubican. After his untimely passing, Maciarello decided to run. Naturally, because he, too, is a Republican, he was supported by many in the club. We did not, however, "put him up." And for those of you who are blaming what changes Maciarello made in the State's Attorney's office on the fact he is a Republican and that's what one can expect of Republicans (e.g. 10:40), what do those changes have to do with his party? So many people opining when they don't know what they're talking about!
When you talked with Matt did offer any insite on the terrible threats against your family and the defacing of your historical property? I pray for your safety.
I hate Ireton said...
When can we fire Ireton? Waiting until the next election is gonna take too long
10:23 PM
I believe the majority of the city voters feel the same way!!
I was a huge Matt supporter. I am very disappointed that he let Liz Ireland go and the way that he handled it. During the campaign, he promised me that he would definitely keep Liz on his staff and that he was very impressed with the way she had handled her position. Matt, the least you could do would be to give us an explanation as to why you did what you did.
I want my vote back.
anonymous 10:39, Grow up.
I'm just really surprised that Mr. Maciarello would make these changes after one day in office. I feel changes shouldn't have been made until at least 6 mos out after he's had time to learn and evaluate office staff. It doesn't seem that he had any regards for two attorney's that had dedicated a lot of years to the office. Maybe Mr. Maciarello should have told them what his expectations were and given them an opportunity and a certain length of time to meet these expectations or resign. I just wonder if the roles were reversed, would Mr. Maciarello have wanted to be treated in this fashion? And now we're taking other county's leftovers? Apparently the people of these other counties did not feel their attorney's were doing a good job, so they didn't back them during the election and now they're working in our county? As of now, I'm disappointed.
Ireland has taken cases to trial that weren't properly investigated and have ruined reputations. Being found not guily doesn't take away the damage done.
Investigations in this county are poorly done anyway. Just ask a couple of your close friends Joe.
Matt will clean all of that up I hope. He is a steady, hardworking guy.
Stay tuned....
I think matt did just what Davis instructed him to do with Liz! That was Davis Ruarks idea and had Davis stayed he would have gotten rid of her. Davis had no control over that office. He kept female attorneys on staff for the wrong reasons. He has no control of his personal life either. When will he ever DO THE RIGHT THING? Davis will continue to stir up crap as long as he's in that office. He hasn't come to realize he isn't in charge anymore. Matt would be better off if he got him out of the office while he handles the Leggs case. He plays the "poor pity me" to the public. I'm proud of Matt for not letting Davis bully him around. Matt better watch his back though. Davis doesn't know how to keep his mouth shut or do the right thing! That has been proven over and over again!
I am so surprised at the firing of Liz Ireland. I voted for Matt and still hope that he is the person that I thought he was and the person he promised he would be. I'm a little concerned now. But I'll watch it play out. Liz is a good person and will serve again, somewhere, I'm sure. Too bad for Wicomico County, though. Our lose, her gain. Go, Liz --- take the high road & be the best. From a long time family friend.
Perhaps Liz Ireland is reaping what she sowed. How many cases did she prosecute without investigation? And then immediately ran to WBOC cameras to brag about her victories?
Fire her without cause then talk to Albero about it! Funny how things work.
Joel Todd is nothing but a POS. In late October 2010 he called the Wicomico states attorneys office and asked for leinency for a defendant that they were prosecuting for 2nd degree assault,reckless endangerment,false imprisonment, and assault with a deadly weapon. This was done to a 17 year old girl. Might I add that once he was enlightened about the case he backed off. Can anyone guess that dear old Mr.Todd was asking for a favor and is nothing but a "good ole boy"????!!!!! Oh,FYI the defendant plead guilty!!!! Pretty scarey to think that someone like him will be in there! Mr. Todd, I have no respect for you and your underhanded ways! It's only a matter of time before more people discover what you're all about! My only hope is that its not at the hand of the tax paying citizens of Wicomico County!
6:40
Get real. Please list me the dates of when Liz "ran" to wboc with her "victories". You obviously do not know Liz very well. Sounds like someone is jealous. Davis is that you?
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