Former Maryland political aide Roy McGrath, who was wanted on corruption charges, died on Monday after being confronted by law enforcement agents. The FBI had launched a manhunt for him after he failed to appear for his trial. His lawyer, Joseph Murtha, said that the FBI confirmed McGrath’s death, but it was not clear whether his wound was self-inflicted or if it happened during an exchange of gunfire with the agents. William Brennan, an attorney for McGrath’s wife, confirmed the death and said she was “absolutely distraught.”
McGrath, who served as chief of staff to former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, was indicted on charges of fraud and embezzlement in 2021. He was accused of fraudulently securing a $233,648 severance payment and embezzling roughly $170,000 in expenses. McGrath pleaded not guilty. He resigned from his job as Hogan’s chief of staff in 2020 after the payments became public. If convicted, he would have faced a maximum sentence of 20 years for each of four counts of wire fraud, plus a maximum of 10 years for each of two counts of embezzling funds from an organization receiving more than $10,000 in federal benefits.
McGrath was wounded during “an agent-involved shooting” around 6:30 p.m. in a commercial area on the southwestern outskirts of Knoxville, Tennessee. The shooting is currently under investigation, and further details, including how McGrath was wounded and what led up to it, were not immediately released. FBI Supervisory Special Agent Shayne Buchwald, who is leading the investigation, declined to confirm McGrath’s death.
In a statement, Hogan said he and his wife were deeply saddened by the situation and praying for McGrath’s family and loved ones. Murtha called the death “a tragic ending to the past three weeks of uncertainty” and said his client always maintained his innocence.
The case highlights the seriousness with which the FBI takes shooting incidents involving its agents or task force members. The circumstances of McGrath’s death remain unclear, but the incident is likely to be scrutinized carefully to determine what happened and whether there were any lapses in procedure.
McGrath’s indictment and subsequent flight from justice have also raised questions about the adequacy of oversight and the potential for corruption in Maryland politics. His case serves as a reminder that public officials must be held accountable for their actions, and that the FBI and other law enforcement agencies will pursue fugitives with vigor.
The news of McGrath’s death is a sad end to a troubling saga, and one that is likely to have ramifications for years to come. It remains to be seen how the investigation will proceed and what, if any, consequences will befall those involved. What is clear, however, is that the case will continue to be closely watched by the public and the press, as well as law enforcement officials, as they work to ensure that justice is served.
McGrath was indicted in 2021 on charges of fraud and embezzlement after he fraudulently secured a $233,648 severance payment by falsely telling the Maryland Environmental Service’s board that the governor had approved it. He was also accused of fraud and embezzlement connected to roughly $170,000 in expenses. McGrath pleaded not guilty.
McGrath failed to appear at Baltimore’s federal courthouse on March 13, and his lawyer, Joseph Murtha, believed that McGrath, who had moved to Naples, Florida, was planning to fly to Maryland the night before. Instead of beginning jury selection, a judge issued an arrest warrant and dismissed prospective jurors.
The FBI had launched a manhunt for McGrath after he failed to appear for his trial, considering him an international flight risk. McGrath’s disappearance had raised suspicions as he was set to stand trial for embezzlement and fraud charges that he had pleaded not guilty to. The FBI had warned the public to be on the lookout for McGrath and to not approach him as he was considered armed and dangerous.
According to an email from FBI Supervisory Special Agent Shayne Buchwald in Maryland, McGrath was wounded during “an agent-involved shooting” around 6:30 p.m. in a commercial area on the southwestern outskirts of Knoxville, Tennessee. McGrath was taken to a hospital, where he later died of his injuries.
The FBI had earlier stated that McGrath had been hospitalized following an agent-involved shooting but had declined to elaborate on further details. The shooting was under investigation, and it was not immediately clear how McGrath was wounded and what led up to the incident.
McGrath’s death has left his family and loved ones devastated, with his wife’s attorney, William Brennan, confirming the news and stating that she was “absolutely distraught.” McGrath’s former boss, former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, and his wife, Yumi, expressed their sadness at the tragic situation and extended their condolences to McGrath’s family.
Murtha called McGrath’s death “a tragic ending to the past three weeks of uncertainty” and said his client always maintained his innocence.
The case highlights the seriousness with which the FBI takes shooting incidents involving its agents or task force members. The circumstances of McGrath’s death remain unclear, but the incident is likely to be scrutinized carefully to determine what happened and whether there were any lapses in procedure.
