Roy McGrath: Ex-Maryland chief of staff accused of embezzling over $233K shot dead after 3-week manhunt
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND: Three-week manhunt for fugitive Roy McGrath ended in his death after the ex-chief of staff to former Maryland Republican Governor Larry Hogan was shot and killed by FBI officials on the night of April 3. McGrath had been on the run since March 13 after failing to appear for his federal trial on charges of wire fraud, embezzlement, abuse of office and misuse of state funds.
"The FBI has confirmed Roy's passing," said Joseph Murtha, McGrath's attorney. “It’s an absolute tragedy, the loss of Roy McGrath’s life and the unfortunate events that have transpired over the past three weeks,” Murtha told Baltimore Banner. “Roy McGrath never wavered about his innocence,” he added. McGrath was located near Knoxville, Tennessee, and was shot dead during an encounter with law enforcement agents, according to the FBI. It is unclear whether McGrath was shot by an officer or died of a self-inflicted wound.
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Why were police investigating Roy McGrath?
McGrath was considered to be a fugitive by the US Marshals and FBI who placed a $20,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. He was set to be tried on federal charges stemming from his position as the head of the Maryland Environmental Service. Prosecutors alleged McGrath fraudulently obtained a severance payment of $233,647 and falsified documents. He later left his post as the head of Maryland Environmental Service to take the job as Hogan’s chief of staff in 2020. However, he only served as chief for 11 weeks before resigning in August 2020.
'Betrayed: The True Story of Roy McGrath'
In October 2021, McGrath was indicted and pleaded not guilty to all charges and a judge granted his pre-trial release on the condition that he appears for future court dates. He was facing a maximum of 100 years in federal prison for charges that involved stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the state government and illegally recording former Maryland Republican Governor Hogan. Furthermore, when he failed to appear for his trial in Baltimore, US District Judge Deborah Boardman issued an arrest warrant for the on-the-run fugitive. The Naples, Florida resident was wanted on charges of failure to appear, fraud, and theft of funds.
Amid the nationwide hunt for McGrath continued a tell-all book titled, 'Betrayed: The True Story of Roy McGrath' was released last week. The book which has already ranked to be one of the best-selling is highly critical of the former governor, describing Hogan as secretive, back-stabbing, and nicknaming him "Lyin' Larry," reports CBS.