Search For Roy McGrath Focused On Southern U.S., Feds Say: Report

BALTIMORE, MD — Federal authorities are focusing on the southern United States in their search for Roy McGrath, a former Maryland state government official who was declared a fugitive after failing to appear in court nearly three weeks ago, according to a report by The Baltimore Banner.

The FBI and the U.S. Marshal's Service have been searching for McGrath for 18 days after he missed a March 13 arraignment ahead of his criminal trial on federal theft and fraud charges.

The U.S. Marshals on Tuesday said it would pay a $10,000 reward for information leading to McGrath's arrest. The U.S. Marshals join the FBI, which is also offering a $10,000 reward.

FBI Public Affairs Officer Shayne Buchwald declined a request from the Banner to comment beyond confirming where authorities were searching for McGrath.

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. He was released pending trial and allowed to travel between Maryland and Florida, where he lived. Other travel required approval by federal officials.

When McGrath didn't show up to his arraignment, police checked his home in Naples, Florida, but he wasn't there, prompting authorities to issue a warrant for his arrest.

A day later, the U.S. Marshals Service announced they launched an interstate manhunt for McGrath.

A recent wanted poster mentions that McGrath was born in Greece and is considered an international flight risk, despite being ordered to turn over his passport, according to the Banner.

McGrath is a white man who is 5-feet, 4-inches tall and weighs about 145 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information about McGrath's whereabouts should contact the U.S. Marshal's Service at 1-866-4WANTED. Tips may also be submitted via the USMS Tips App. Information can also be submitted to the FBI at 800-225-5324.