Reward For Roy McGrath, Former Hogan Aide, Grows To $20K

BALTIMORE, MD — Federal authorities have raised the stakes in the search for Roy McGrath, a former Maryland state government official who failed to appear in court two weeks ago on federal theft and fraud charges, by partnering with the FBI to offer a $20,000 reward for his capture.

The U.S. Marshal’s Service on Tuesday said it would pay a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of McGrath, the ex-chief of staff to former Gov. Larry Hogan. McGrath was declared a fugitive after missing a March 13 arraignment ahead of his criminal trial.

The U.S. Marshal’s Service joins the FBI, which is also offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to McGrath’s arrest.

McGrath faces an eight-count federal indictment on charges of wire fraud, including securing a $233,648 severance payment equal to one year of salary as the head of Maryland Environmental Service, according to the Department of Justice. Authorities said McGrath falsified a document that appeared to be from Hogan approving the severance payment.

McGrath also faces fraud and embezzlement charges connected to roughly $170,000 in expenses, according to The Associated Press.

Hogan appointed McGrath in 2016 as executive director of Maryland Environmental Service, a state-owned agency that provides environmental services to state and local government agencies, federal government entities, and private clients. McGrath resigned from the agency on May 31, 2020, and became Hogan’s chief of staff a day later.

According to court documents, McGrath is also accused of using his position as director and chief of staff to get Maryland Environmental Service to issue payments to himself.

Charges were filed against McGrath in fall 2021. He was released pending trial and allowed to travel between Maryland and Florida, where he lived. Other travel required approval by federal officials.

When McGrath didn’t show up to his arraignment, police checked his home in Naples, Florida, but he wasn’t there, prompting authorities to issue a warrant for his arrest.

A day later, the U.S. Marshals Service announced they launched an interstate manhunt for McGrath.

McGrath is a white man who is 5-feet, 4-inches tall and weighs about 145 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes. Authorities said he is considered a national flight risk.

Authorities have released no information on whether they have leads on McGrath’s whereabouts.

“Rewards are often used to create an incentive to assist law enforcement and to put the squeeze on the fugitive, that there are more eyes in the public out there looking for you,” retired U.S. Marshal Martin J. Pane wrote in an email to the Baltimore Banner.”Also sometimes a case has gone cold and it can spike leads in the investigation””

Anyone with information about McGrath’s whereabouts should contact the U.S. Marshal’s Service at 1-866-4WANTED. Tips may also be submitted via the USMS Tips App. Information can also be submitted to the FBI at 800-225-5324.