Manhunt For Former Hogan Aide Underway After Court Date Missed

BALTIMORE, MD — Authorities are searching for the ex-chief of staff to former Gov. Larry Hogan after he failed to appear in court Monday on federal fraud charges, according to multiple reports.

A U.S. District Court judge issued an arrest warrant for Roy McGrath when he didn't appear for a 9 a.m. arraignment ahead of his criminal trial on fraud and theft charges, the Associated Press reported.

Authorities checked his home in Naples, Florida, but McGrath wasn't there, the Baltimore Banner reported. The U.S. Marshals Service is calling him a fugitive.

McGrath faces an eight-count federal indictment on charges of wire fraud, including securing a $233,648 severance payment equal to one year of salary as the head of Maryland Environmental Service, according to the Department of Justice. Authorities said McGrath falsified a document that appeared to be from Hogan approving the severance payment.

McGrath also faces fraud and embezzlement charges connected to roughly $170,000 in expenses, according to The Associated Press.

Hogan appointed McGrath in 2016 as executive director of Maryland Environmental Service, a state-owned agency that provides environmental services to state and local government agencies, federal government entities, and private clients. McGrath resigned from the agency on May 31, 2020, and became Hogan's chief of staff a day later.

According to court documents, McGrath is also accused of using his position as director and chief of staff to get Maryland Environmental Service to issue payments to himself.

Charges were filed against McGrath in fall 2021, the Banner reported. he was released pending trial and allowed to travel between Florida and Maryland. Other travel required approval by federal officials.

McGrath has pleaded not guilty.

Jury selection was set to begin Monday morning, but the judge excused the jurors and postponed the case, according to The AP.

If convicted, McGrath faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each of the five counts of wire fraud, a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for each of two counts of embezzling funds, and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for the charge of falsifying a document.