At least two Baltimore County lawmakers are questioning a proposed 23 percent raise for a top official facing allegations he fired an employee who caught him engaged in an office affair.
Councilman Bryan McIntire, R-District 3, said he was “disappointed” officials did not disclose a $1 million lawsuit filed by a former employee alleging administrative officer Fred Homan fired her after she disrupted an “awkward scene” with a female county attorney. The council is scheduled Monday to approve Homan?s appointment ? and his $36,000 raise ? but McIntire said the vote could be postponed.
“I got a call about it just hours before the media [reported] it,” McIntire said. “The suit brings up a number of lateral issues and it should have been disclosed shortly after it was filed.”
Miriam Grice, 55, was fired two weeks ago in what was the culmination of retaliatory acts involving Homan since 1999, said attorney Kathleen Cahill. In one instance, Grice accidentally interrupted Homan and assistant county attorney Suzanne Berger after hours, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.
Six months later, a panel including Homan and Berger chose a less-qualified, external candidate to replace Grice, who was demoted, twice suspended and fired, the lawsuit states.
County officials have dismissed the claims as the product of a disgruntled ex-employee, but refused to make Homan and Berger available for comment.
County spokesman Don Mohler said Homan?s $190,000 salary, if approved, will be closer to that of other administrative officers in the region.
Councilman Vince Gardina, D-District 5, said he did not support the raise based on recent cuts to general employee benefits.
“It?s not that [Homan] doesn?t deserve it,” Gardina said. “But we just reduced employees? pension benefits and increased their health care premiums. I just think it?s bad timing.”
Councilman John Olszewski, D-District 7, said he will likely support Homan?s raise based on his dedication to the county.
