Roy McGrath, Onetime Chief Of Staff To Former Maryland Governor, Dead After Manhunt

Roy McGrath, who served as the highest aide to former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), died Monday throughout a confrontation with legislation enforcement after a three-week search.

McGrath had been on the run for 21 days after he failed to point out up for a trial March 13 on fraud and embezzlement fees in U.S. District Courtroom in Baltimore.

A lawyer for his household mentioned McGrath died after federal brokers tried to arrest him Monday night. It’s unclear if he died of a self-inflicted wound or throughout an change of gunfire with federal brokers.

“The lack of Roy’s life is an absolute tragedy, and I feel it’s essential for me to say that Roy by no means wavered about his innocence,” Joseph Murtha, an legal professional for McGrath’s spouse, informed The Washington Put up.

The FBI mentioned earlier Monday that McGrath was injured throughout an “agent-involved capturing” close to Knoxville, Tennessee. He was taken to a hospital however died of his wounds.

Authorities haven't but detailed the occasions main as much as the confrontation.

McGrath was indicted in 2021 on a collection of fraud fees. In a single occasion, prosecutors accused McGrath of defrauding the Maryland Environmental Service of a greater than $233,000 severance package deal earlier than he left to work for Hogan.

He had served because the governor’s chief of employees for less than three months when The Baltimore Solar reported on the severance package deal, revelations that prompted legislative hearings and McGrath’s final resignation. McGrath maintained the governor accredited of the severance deal, however Hogan denied any data of it and has been cooperating with investigators. The previous governor was on the prosecution’s witness record for the trial.

Hogan issued a press release by means of his spokesperson on Monday, saying he was “deeply saddened by this tragic state of affairs.”

“We're praying for Mr. McGrath’s household and family members,” the previous governor mentioned.

If convicted, McGrath would have confronted many years in jail.