Manhunt begins for ex-Hogan aide after he skips court appearance

Authorities launched a manhunt this week for former Maryland GOP Gov. Larry Hogan's ex-chief of staff, Roy McGrath, following his failure to appear in federal court.

McGrath faces charges of wire fraud, embezzlement and falsification of documents in connection with his obtaining of a $233,648 severance payment from the Maryland Environmental Service, according to The Hill newspaper. McGrath resigned a few months into his service in Hogan's office.

He allegedly attempted to make it look as though Hogan had authorized the payout so that he could join the Hogan administration. McGrath has pleaded not guilty.

He was scheduled to appear before a U.S. District Court in Baltimore, Md., at 9 a.m. on Monday.

His lawyer, Joseph Murtha, appeared unaware of the reason for McGrath's absence, saying "[w]e're doing what we can to make sure Roy is safe and we see him soon," CBS News reported. Law enforcement did not locate him at his Florida Home, per the Washington Post.

The U.S. Marshals Service considers him a fugitive and has issued a wanted poster.

Wanted poster from US Marshals for Roy McGrath, former chief of staff for former Governor Larry Hogan https://t.co/ufpMfQSpYG @wjz pic.twitter.com/4cdjmNPsWU

— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) March 14, 2023

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.