Federal law enforcement officials are offering up to $20,000 for information leading to the capture of former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan‘s ex-chief of staff after he failed to appear in court for his criminal trial.
Authorities began searching for fugitive Roy McGrath two weeks ago after he failed to show up for his corruption trial in Baltimore. The FBI and U.S. Marshals Service are now offering $10,000 each for information leading to McGrath’s capture.
Officials say he is considered an international flight risk because he was born in Europe. McGrath also has several aliases, including Roy Baisliadou and RC Mak-Grath.
McGrath’s attorney, Joseph Murtha, said he was concerned about his client and unsure of what was happening.
“I haven’t a clue. I didn’t see this coming,” said Murtha. “This behavior is so out of the ordinary for him. Obviously his personal safety is a concern.”
McGrath, 53, resigned as Hogan’s chief of staff in 2020 after he was accused of fraudulently securing a severance package of $233,648, equal to a year’s salary, from his prior job leading the Maryland Environmental Service.
McGrath pleaded not guilty to federal wire fraud and theft charges. His court appearance Monday morning was set to begin with an arraignment for a superseding indictment. State charges accuse him of illegally recording private conversations with senior officials. If convicted, McGrath could face decades in prison.
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McGrath has a long history working with Hogan, who once described McGrath as a “trusted adviser” and key to helping him build his administration after winning the Maryland governor’s race in 2014, according to The Washington Post.
Hogan, who could be called as a witness in the McGrath case, denies approving McGrath’s large severance. Murtha said McGrath “firmly stands by the fact that Governor Hogan formally approved of his compensation from Maryland Environmental Service, and sadly, turned his back on Mr. McGrath to avoid the political fall out of his decision.”
Daniel Chaitin contributed to this report.