A federal judge has issued an arrest warrant for Roy McGrath, the former chief of staff to two-term\u00a0Maryland GOP Gov. Larry Hogan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
McGrath is facing an eight-count federal indictment stemming from a criminal corruption investigation. Charges include wire fraud, including securing a $233,648 severance payment equal to one year of salary as the head of Maryland Environmental Service. He also faces fraud and embezzlement charges connected to roughly $170,000 in expenses. McGrath has pleaded not guilty to the charges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
McGrath resigned from Hogan’s office a few months after the six-figure payment was reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One charge relates to allegations that McGrath falsified a memo that purports to show the Governor was informed of his then-chief of staff’s severance arrangement and signed off on the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The former Governor, who until recently was mulling a White House bid has vehemently denied knowing or approving of a severance payment negotiated by McGrath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
U.S. District Court Judge Deborah Boardman issued the arrest warrant after McGrath failed to appear in Baltimore for the start of his criminal trial\u00a0on Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Let’s hope he’s safe and there’s some mix-up,” Boardman told local outlet Maryland Matters<\/a> on Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Joseph Murtha, McGrath\u2019s attorney, said he had attempted throughout the morning on Monday to reach his client and his wife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n