Howard County Sheriff Says He Will Not Resign: Report

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The sheriff in Howard County says he will not leave his post, despite calls from four county executives and members of the public for him to tender his resignation after an internal investigation found his leadership created a hostile, discriminatory workplace.

Sheriff James Fitzgerald reportedly announced his intention to stay on the job during a press conference Thursday morning.

Fitzgerald, a Democrat who has been in office since 2006, said he is committed to serving the public.

Said the sheriff: "I will continue to serve the residents of Howard County," according to The Baltimore Sun.

The Howard County Office of Human Rights found after an investigation that the sheriff was "objectively offensive" and "abusive" to many people, including those who are "female, black, gay, Asian or Jewish," the agency stated in a report detailing its findings.

The human rights office looked into the sheriff's conduct following a 2015 complaint by a former lieutenant. The investigation substantiated claims of "severe and pervasive workplace harassment," retaliation for complaining about discrimination and discrimination based on political creed, according to the document released last week by WBAL.

At Thursday's press conference, Fitzgerald reportedly said the human rights office's findings were "humbling, hurtful and disappointing."

The announcement that the sheriff planned to remain in his position came after Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman (a Republican) and three previous county executives (all Democrats) publicly called for Fitzgerald to resign. The Howard County chapter of the NAACP issued the same request and stated a civil rights investigation into the Howard County Sheriff's Office as a whole may be necessary.

Because he is an elected official, Fitzgerald cannot be fired by the county administration. Kittleman on Thursday sent a letter to Democrats Senator Guy Guzzone and Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary asking for their assistance in starting the impeachment process.

"I recognize that impeachment of any elected official is an extreme step, one that should not be taken in haste," Kittleman wrote. "But the offensive actions and behavior documented in the OHR report are so grossly contrary to the shared values of inclusion and respect for all that we hold dear in Howard County that I see no other recourse."

The sheriff's decision to remain in his role was one that the Howard County Office of Human Rights said was anticipated by employees. Here are some of their reactions, as documented in the agency's report:

• "Fitzgerald will simply thumb his nose at the system because he is the sheriff and he will do whatever he wants."
• "...because he is a public official, nobody can do anything to him, except the public and the public doesn't know."
• More than once, Fitzgerald has allegedly said: "I'm the f------ sheriff! I can do anything I want in Howard County; they aren't going to do a damned thing to me."

While the county administration cannot force the sheriff to leave his job, there is a lawsuit filed by his former opponent John McMahon alleging that Fitzgerald failed to take the oath of office through the courts after the 2014 election and claiming he is ineligible for the position because he does not permanently reside in Howard County. The sheriff claimed on his taxes that his permanent residence is in Ocean City, according to WBAL.

Since WBAL released the report, protesters have been picketing periodically outside the sheriff's office near the courthouse in Ellicott City.

Pictured, Sheriff James Fitzgerald, courtesy of Maryland State Archives.

See Also — 'Resign': 4 Howard County Executives to Sheriff James Fitzgerald