Fugitive ex-chief of staff to governor dies of gunshot wound after FBI stand-off
A former top political aid wanted on corruption charges has died from gunshot while being confronted by the FBI, his lawyer has said.
Roy McGrath, once a top aid to a former Maryland governor, died following a manhunt that was launched when he failed to appear for trial in Maryland, on March 13.
Attorney Joseph Murtha said the FBI confirmed McGrath's death to him.
He added that it was not immediately clear if McGrath's wound was self-inflicted or came during an exchange of gunfire with agents.
The FBI had said earlier that McGrath, once a top aide to a former Maryland governor, had been hospitalized following an agent-involved shooting, but declined to elaborate.
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William Brennan, an attorney for McGrath's wife, Laura Bruner, also confirmed the death and said she was "absolutely distraught."
A wanted sign issued for McGrath (CBS)According to an email earlier from FBI Supervisory Special Agent Shayne Buchwald in Maryland, McGrath was wounded during "an agent-involved shooting" around 6.30pm. in a commercial area on the southwestern outskirts of Knoxville, Tennessee. Buchwald said McGrath was taken to a hospital.
Further details, including how McGrath was wounded and what led up to it, were not immediately released. The shooting was under investigation.
"The FBI takes all shooting incidents involving our agents or task force members seriously," said Buchwald, who declined to confirm that McGrath had died.
A crime scene captured at the time of McGrath's death (CBS)McGrath, 53, served as chief of staff to former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. He was declared a wanted fugitive after his disappearance, and the FBI has said he was considered an international flight risk.
A warrant had been issued for his arrest, and the FBI had searched his house in Naples, Florida, and interviewed his relatives, CBS News reports.
McGrath was set to be tried on federal charges that had arisen from his time running the Maryland Environmental Service, which provided services like wastewater management, composting and recycling.
According to prosecutors, McGrath had fraudulently obtained a severance payment of $233,647 - equal to one year of salary as the head of Maryland Environmental Service - when he left to take the job as Hogan's chief of staff in 2020.
Attorney Joseph Murtha said the FBI had confirmed McGrath's death (CBS)He had reportedly falsified a document purporting to show the governor had approved of the payment.
In addition to this, he was also accused of falsifying time sheets while vacationing in Europe and stealing money for tuition for classes at Harvard.
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In a statement, Hogan said he and his wife, Yumi, "are deeply saddened by this tragic situation. We are praying for Mr. McGrath's family and loved ones."
Murtha called the death "a tragic ending to the past three weeks of uncertainty" and said his client always maintained his innocence.
McGrath died following a manhunt that was launched when he failed to appear for trial (CBS)After McGrath failed to appear at Baltimore's federal courthouse on March 13, Murtha said he believed McGrath, who had moved to Naples, Florida, was planning to fly to Maryland the night before.
He was also accused of fraud and embezzlement connected to roughly $170,000 in expenses. McGrath pleaded not guilty.
McGrath resigned just 11 weeks into the job as Hogan's chief of staff in 2020 after the payments became public.
If convicted of the federal charges, he would have faced a maximum sentence of 20 years for each of four counts of wire fraud, plus a maximum of 10 years for each of two counts of embezzling funds from an organization receiving more than $10,000 in federal benefits.
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