Federal investigators issued a “broad” subpoena Monday for documents from the office of state Sen. Ulysses Currie and the influential committee he oversees as a probe into his connection with a regional supermarket continues.
The Department of Legislative Services is working to narrow therequests of the “broad” subpoena sent by Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein, said Karl Aro, the department?s director. FBI agents last week raided the Prince George?s County Democrat?s home and the headquarters of Shoppers Food Warehouse, for which he worked as a consultant.
“We are going to cooperate fully with the authorities,” Aro said. “We are talking with the U.S. attorney, trying to figure out, ?What is it you want?? ”
The subpoena requests all documents relating to all of Currie?s legislative activities, including notes, appointment books, address books, business cards and computers. It asks for records of outside employment, volunteer work and consulting activities.
Investigators also asked for all documents contained within the offices of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee ? which Currie chairs ? as well as subcommittees and staff.
The FBI and U.S. Attorney?s Office have not commented on the focus of the investigation, and Shoppers officials have refused to elaborate on their relationship with the veteran senator. Currie did not indicate employment with the supermarket on financial disclosure statements with the State Ethics Commission, submitted under oath.
Without commenting specifically on the investigation, Robert Hahn, the commission director, said the agency can only seek fees or civil fines for late or incomplete submissions. Only the legislature?s joint ethics committee can determine whether outside employment violates ethical rules, said DLS ethics counsel William Somerville.
Convictions of serious crimes require automatic expulsion from the General Assembly, Somerville said, but most lawmakers resign before that point.
Maryland?s Democratic Party Chairman Michael Cryor on Monday criticized GOP calls for Currie?s resignation as a “smear tactic to score political points.” A 21-year veteran legislator, Currie, who did not return calls for comment, has earned bipartisan respect, Cryor said. And at least one Republican, former Gov. Robert Ehrlich Jr., agreed.
“When the FBIshows up with a subpoena, you take it seriously,” Ehrlich said. “But let the process play itself out. I think on both sides of the aisle, he is viewed as a gentleman.”
