Anthony McCarthy, once a key aide to Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon, broke down in tears Thursday after learning that prosecutors cleared him of allegations he engaged in “inappropriate behavior.”
“I did nothing wrong,” said McCarthy, who called the three-month investigation an ordeal worse than his struggles with cancer. “I never lost my faith that the truth would come out.”
The former communications chief for the mayor was placed on administrative leave in November after Baltimore County police said they were investigating alleged misconduct by McCarthy. At the time, Dixon described the allegations as “shocking.”
But Thursday, the probe abruptly came to an end.
“The Baltimore County State?s Attorney?s Office has completed its review of an investigation regarding Anthony McCarthy and has determined that no criminal charges will be filed,” Deputy State?s Attorney Leo Ryan said in a statement.
McCarthy?s attorney, Dwight Pettit, said at a Thursday afternoon news conference that he believed the case was dropped because the allegations were unsubstantiated.
“It was a matter of corroboration,” he said.
Neither Pettit nor prosecutors would describe the allegations against McCarthy.
At the news conference, McCarthy expressed a desire to resume his duties for Dixon, but the mayor released a written statement less than two hours later that appeared to shut the door on any possibility of McCarthy?s return.
“The end of this investigation must be a great relief for Anthony and his family,” Dixon said. “We wish him success in the future.”
McCarthy said he learned of the mayor?s statement during a telephone interview with The Examiner.
“I?ll have to reach out to them somehow,” he said.
