Prince of Darkness Testifies

Former Ehrlich aid Joseph Steffen testified partially yesterday after he failed to quash a subpoena according to reports in the Washington Post and the Baltimore Sun. Only partially because his lawyer stopped him from testifying about his role in spreading rumors of infidelity by Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley on the web.

Steffen seemed far more bothered by being disowned by Ehrlich than by having fired numerous people. He can barely recall the firings, either because he did so many of them or just doesn't care or both. However, Steffen is finding it hard to believe that Ehrlich's people have less memory of him than a passing Metro train even though he worked for Ehrlich in his congressional office for years before Ehrlich's arrival in Annapolis and he played a key role in Ehrlich's attempt to replace existing employees with his placemen.

As with so many investigations, it is not the original crime but the cover-up that ultimately appears likely to get the governor into trouble. Steffen's testimony directly contradicts that of Lawrence Hogan, Ehrlich's top appointment official. Hogan claims that he barely knew Steffen and only once received his advice on a personnel matter. These claims by Hogan clearly perplex Steffen whose memory of events is rather different to say the least since Steffen claims to have been centrally involved in personnel matters. Will perjury charges be filed against Hogan in the near future?

Efforts to prove the original crime are more hazy, though far from weak. Steffen testified that party was a factor in the firings, though not the sole factor. Of course, it might be interesting to see how many Republicans were terminated by Steffen and compare that with the share of Republican or unaffiliated staffers in the office. Steffen's lack of clarity on this topic is a little convenient to say the least.

Nevertheless, Del. Jean Cryor, Montgomery County's token Republican state legislator, was quick to tell the Washington Post that "after months of testimony, the simple fact is that no one was fired because of their political party." It is gutsy of Del. Cryor to carry water for an administration facing a flood tide. However, District 15 Democrats who in the past have supported Cryor, who has carefully cultivated in image of Morella-like moderation, may want to take another look at her opponent Craig Rice. One suspects would not be quite so quick to rush to Ehrlich's defense.