Roy McGrath Hid From Wife His Plan To Run, Footage Shows: Report

NAPLES, FL — Roy McGrath — former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan's ex-chief of staff, who died in an exchange of gunfire with FBI agents earlier last month — hid from his wife his plans to not appear at his Baltimore arraignment on federal fraud charges, body camera footage obtained by The Baltimore Banner shows.

According to an FBI search warrant, McGrath did not buy a plane ticket or make any reservations to travel from Naples to Baltimore for his March 13 arraignment before his criminal trial, suggesting his absence was not a spur-of-the-moment decision.

However, when police officers knocked on his door less than two hours after he failed to show up in court, McGrath's wife told authorities he was in Maryland.

"He left this morning at like 5 or 6. I was sleeping, and he got a ride to the airport," McGrath’s wife, Laura Bruner, told police.

According to the Banner, the interaction with Bruner lasts about two minutes. At no point does she indicate she's aware he failed to appear in court, the video shows.

After missing his arraignment, McGrath, 53, was considered a fugitive and sought by federal officials. After he was captured weeks later in Knoxville, Tennessee, McGrath shot himself in an exchange of gunfire with FBI agents; however, it's unclear who fired the fatal shot.

The investigation into his death continues.

Before his death, federal authorities were searching the southern United States for McGrath, who was facing 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.

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

Charges were filed against McGrath in the fall of 2021. He was released pending trial and allowed to travel between Maryland and Florida.

READ MORE:

• Roy McGrath Didn't Plan To Appear In Court Before Death: Report
• Ex-Hogan Aide McGrath Shot Himself, FBI Also Fired In Incident: Report
• Search For Roy McGrath Focused On Southern U.S., Feds Say: Report
• Reward For Roy McGrath, Former Hogan Aide, Grows To $20K
• Manhunt For Former Hogan Aide Underway After Court Date Missed