Roy McGrath Shooting Death: 3 Months Later, FBI Remains Mum

BALTIMORE, MD — Nearly three months after Roy McGrath, the ex-chief of staff to former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, was killed in an exchange of gunfire with FBI agents, the federal agency is defending its silence and the fact authorities have released no additional information since the fugitive's death.

In a visit to the FBI's Baltimore field office Wednesday, FBI Director Christopher Wray said he is usually briefed when an investigation is close to complete; however, he has not received a briefing in the McGrath case, the Baltimore Banner reported.

“It’s not surprising to me, even though it might be surprising to you, that you wouldn’t be getting information about an ongoing shooting review,” Wray said, according to the Banner. “We take great pains to be very meticulous about how we do those.”

McGrath’s attorney, Joseph Murtha, told the Banner he thinks the FBI should be more transparent.

"In my humble opinion, it doesn’t appear to be a complicated investigation," he told the publication.

McGrath, 53, was sought by federal officials after failing to appear in court in March on federal theft and fraud charges. He died on April 3 after being captured in Knoxville, Tennessee.

McGrath died of a gunshot wound, though it is not clear whether the injury was self-inflicted or if it occurred in an exchange of gunfire with FBI agents, lawyer Joseph Murtha said in an email shared with NBC News.

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.

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