Maryland Archives - Page 324 of 395

FBI Offering $10,000 Reward for Information Leading to the Arrest of Ex-Chief of Staff to Former Gov. Hogan, Roy C. McGrath

Published March 28, 2023 at 3:59PM

Per the Federal Bureau of Investigation: The FBI is seeking the public’s assistance in locating fugitive Roy C. McGrath (photo below), age 53, of Naples, Florida, who is the ex-chief of staff to former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. An arrest warrant has been issued for McGrath after he failed to appear in Baltimore, Maryland, for trial on March 13, 2023. McGrath is now a fugitive and considered an international flight risk.

On October 5, 2021, McGrath was indicted in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland for violations of 18 USC 1343 (wire fraud) and 18 USC 666 (theft or bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds). During his October 2021 court appearance, McGrath entered a plea of not guilty on all charges and was released pre-trial on the condition that he appear at all scheduled court dates.

Six-Year-Old Giraffe Dies Unexpectedly At The Maryland Zoo

By MCS Staff

Published March 28, 2023 at 2:30PM

A six-year-old giraffe named Willow has died at the Maryland Zoo, the zoo announced via social media on Tuesday afternoon. The giraffe, born at the zoo in 2017, had shown signs of illness for several days. Full statement by the Maryland Zoo below:

“It is difficult to put into words the impact Willow the giraffe has had since she was born here in 2017. If you’ve followed us for a while, you know. Our Zoo family is truly broken as we share with you that Willow has passed on. Several days ago, Willow’s care team noticed something was off when she didn’t eat her typical meals and showed other signs of illness. Since then, Zoo veterinarians and other team members have been working together, taking steps to treat the gastrointestinal issues Willow was experiencing. Last night, Willow’s condition significantly worsened, and after every effort was made to save her, the team made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize her.

Governor Moore Releases Supplemental FY 2024 Budget Plan

By Patrick Herron

Published March 28, 2023 at 8:58AM

Per the State of Maryland (3.27.23): Today, Governor Wes Moore announced his supplemental FY 2024 budget plan, which includes key adjustments to his first proposed budget to account for new revenue projections. The governor’s supplemental budget targets crucial investments toward rebuilding Maryland state government, bolstering public safety, ending child poverty, creating a competitive and equitable economy, and rebuilding our infrastructure.

“This administration will always be guided by the data and the facts. Our supplemental budget adapts to new revenue projections while ensuring we invest in the priorities that matter most to Marylanders,” said Governor Moore. “We’ve made it clear–our administration is here to make the lives of every Marylander better, and this budget plan meets that test in a responsible and strategic way.”

Labcorp Agrees to Pay $2,100,000 to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Related to Overbillings on Department of Defense Contracts

By MCS Staff

Published March 28, 2023 at 7:20AM

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland: Laboratory Corporation of America (“Labcorp”) has agreed to pay the United States $2,100,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the federal False Claims Act by overbilling the Department of Defense (“DoD”) for genetic tests performed by GeneDx, LLC, a third-party reference laboratory used by Labcorp to perform genetic tests for military members.

The civil settlement was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Services, Mid-Atlantic Field Office, Christopher W. Dillard, and Special Agent in Charge of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Major Procurement Fraud Field Office, L. Scott Moreland.

Governor Moore Announces EBT Reimbursements for Fraud Victims

By Patrick Herron

Published March 27, 2023 at 12:40PM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore today announced Electronic Benefits Transfer reimbursements for fraud victims. Since beginning outreach to eligible individuals last week, the Maryland Department of Human Services has approved nearly 1,300 claims totaling $761,584 in reimbursed benefits.

“My administration is using a direct and swift approach to reimburse people whose food and cash benefits were stolen,” said Governor Moore. “We are demonstrating how our state will lead and find innovative ways to solve our common problems and restore faith in our family-serving institutions.”

Governor Moore’s Statement Regarding the 13th Anniversary of the Signing of the Affordable Care Act

By Patrick Herron

Published March 23, 2023 at 8:33PM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Moore released the following statement regarding the 13th Anniversary of the Signing of the Affordable Care Act:

“On the 13th anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act, I’m reminded how good government drastically affects the people that we represent. This legislation provided health care for millions of Americans—and its benefits to our country and to the state of Maryland are innumerable. I’m so thankful to President Obama and his administration for everything they did to create a country where we leave no one behind.

Governor Moore Denounces Rise in Jewish Hate Incidents in Maryland

By Patrick Herron

Published March 23, 2023 at 8:31PM

Since 2018, hate incidents have risen exponentially in Maryland. According to the Anti-Defamation League report, there were only 39 reported incidents in 2018, and this past year there were over 109 incidents in the state. The Moore-Miller Administration strongly condemns these actions. In an effort to safeguard Marylanders, the governor has proposed historic public safety investments in the budget, including $5 million to protect Marylanders against hate crimes. We ask Marylanders to report any antisemitic, bias, or discriminatory incident to the Anti-Defamation League, in addition to reporting incidents to law enforcement.

Notice of District 39 State Delegate Vacancy After Delegate Kirill Reznik Takes Job With Gov. Wes Moore’s Administration

By MCS Staff

Published March 22, 2023 at 10:59PM

On March 14, 2023, Delegate Kirill Reznik announced that he would resign from the Maryland House of Delegates on March 21, to serve as the Assistant Secretary for Inter-Departmental Data Integration for the Maryland Department of Human Services. Per the Montgomery County Democratic Party: Delegate Kirill Reznik has resigned as Maryland State Delegate serving District 39 effective March 21, 2023. Governor Wes Moore has appointed Delegate Reznik as Assistant Secretary for Inter-Departmental Data Integration at the Department of Human Services.

Individuals interested in applying for the appointment should submit a cover letter, a resume, and any other supporting materials that they would like the MCDCC to consider by email to [email protected] with the subject line D39 Delegate Vacancy Application no later than Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 5 p.m. Applicants also must provide proof of residency indicating that they have been a resident in the district for the past six months. Each applicant must submit either a Credit card bill, Utility bill, Bank statement, or mail from a Federal, State, or Local government agency dating back six months.

Maryland Is 2023’s 4th Most Innovative State, According to Study

By MCS Staff

Published March 22, 2023 at 7:20AM

With the U.S. spending over $600 billion per year on R&D, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Most & Least Innovative States, with Maryland coming in 4th in the nation. In order to give credit to the states that have contributed the most to America’s innovative success, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 22 key metrics. The data set ranges from share of STEM professionals to R&D spending per capita.

Innovation in Maryland (1=Most Innovative, 25=Avg.):

Governor Moore Proclaims Irish American Heritage Month in Maryland

By Patrick Herron

Published March 20, 2023 at 4:20PM

Per the State or Maryland: Governor Wes Moore has proclaimed the month of March 2023 as Irish American Heritage Month in Maryland. The proclamation recognizes the millions of Irish who immigrated to the United States and their role in making both our country and our state a place of hope and opportunity.

“The history of the Irish in America reflects a very American story of triumph over turmoil,” said Governor Moore. “Beyond St. Patrick’s Day, we continue to celebrate the proud heritage of Irish Americans and we recognize the cultural significance that those deep roots helped foster.”

Beyond MoCo: Governor Moore Requests Federal Fishery Disaster Declaration for Invasive Blue Catfish

By Patrick Herron

Published March 17, 2023 at 9:57PM

Per the State of Maryland (3.16.23): Governor Wes Moore is today calling on the federal government to declare the expanding population of invasive fish species—including blue catfish, flathead catfish, and snakehead—to be an ongoing commercial fishery disaster in the Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The governor sent a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo requesting the declaration under provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act.

Since 2012, the total catch of seven of Maryland’s marquee commercial fishery species that share their habitat with invasive fish at some point in their life cycle has declined between 27% and 91%. The dockside value of these species has likewise declined between 12% and 85%. Commercial fisheries—including hard blue crab, striped bass, yellow perch, and others—have brought in an average $64 million yearly in dockside value during that time, making declines a significant loss for Maryland’s commercial watermen and the state’s economy.