The Maryland Stadium Authority will meet this afternoon, as Executive Director Alison Asti?s future remains uncertain.
Speculation over Asti?s removal has grown since July, when Frederick W. Puddester, appointed by Gov. Martin O?Malley, took over as MSA chairman.
In a letter dated Monday, former MSA Chairman Robert L. McKinney defended Asti, calling her “a very capable career public servant” who “is highly regarded for her expertise and professionalism.”
Asti?s future became clouded in February after a legislative audit of the MSA revealed several critical financial findings. McKinney said most of the audit?s findings related to the MSA?s previous executive director, Richard W. Slosson.
“Published reports indicate that the plans to remove Ms. Asti predated the audit and were discussed by Gov. O?Malley with his inner circle and even in public settings,” McKinney wrote. “It should be clear that if the governor has reasons he wants to oust Ms. Asti, they are not based on the audit.”
Asti serves as both executive director and general counsel to the MSA. Two weeks ago, Asti?s lawyer, Andrew Levy of Baltimore?s Brown, Goldstein & Levy LLP, wrote a letter to the MSA stating that Asti?s contract was “fully consistent with both state law and policy.”
“I?m glad that [McKinney] has gone on the record about this,” Levy said. “I really don?t understand the argument that the MSA is not obligated to honor Alison?s contract.”
Levy said he would be present at the MSA meeting, though he didn?t want to comment on what might happen. “We?ll have to wait and see.”
A representative for O?Malley did not return calls for comment.
Asti has been the MSA?s general counsel since 1994 and executive director since 2004.
“If indeed the administration has only one litmus test for public servants, determined by their capability and commitment to performing their jobs, there is no reason to remove Alison Asti as executive director of the Maryland Stadium Authority,” McKinney wrote.
