The Maryland state prosecutor has opened a criminal investigation into Montgomery County officials’ use of taxpayer dollars to advocate for a ballot measure that, if passed, would affirm the county’s decision to revoke the police union’s ability to bargain almost every management decision.

The use of public funds — instead of money raised by a ballot issue committee — to campaign for the measure may violate election law and result in a fine of up to $25,000 and up to a year in prison, State Prosecutor Emmet Davitt said in a letter to the Montgomery County Council and Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett. Any county employee who engages in politicking on the job could face a misdemeanor charge of up to $3,000 and up to six months in prison.