Jun 30, 2008 3:36 pm US/Eastern
Asst. AG: Details Needed On Currie Investigation
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) ―
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Senator Ulysses Currie, a powerful state senator under federal investigation, could use campaign funds to pay for his legal defense only if the probe relates to campaign activities, according to a legal opinion released Monday.
A powerful state senator under federal investigation could use campaign funds to pay for his legal defense only if the probe relates to campaign activities, according to a legal opinion released Monday.
Sen. Ulysses Currie emphasized in a June 12 letter to the Maryland State Board of Elections that he had not yet been charged with a crime and didn't expect to be. But the Prince George's County Democrat asked for a formal opinion on whether he could use campaign funds to pay for his defense, if charges are filed.
Currie argued in the letter that charges relating to his position in Annapolis "would affect my continued viability as a candidate for public office."
But Mark Davis, an assistant attorney general, wrote in the opinion dated June 27 that it's still unclear whether the investigation relates to campaign activities, Currie's conduct in office or personal matters.
Currie could only use campaign contributions for attorneys' fees if his campaign activities are being investigated, Davis wrote.
"However, if the investigation relates to his conduct in office unrelated to electoral activities or to personal matters, he would not be permitted to use campaign funds to pay for his counsel," Davis wrote.
Currie, 70, chairs the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, a powerful panel that directs billions of dollars in state spending.
Dale Kelberman, Currie's attorney, did not immediately return calls or an e-mail seeking comment.
On May 29, the FBI searched Currie's District Heights home, on the same day they searched the headquarters of Shoppers Food Warehouse in Lanham. Currie has worked as a consultant for the grocery store chain, and he had not disclosed his work as required on financial disclosure forms.
At Currie's house, agents collected financial information, including "a check stub from Shoppers" from last year, a consulting agreement with the grocery store and tax returns dating to 2002. Agents also found marijuana and "drug packaging materials," according to an evidence recovery log.
Federal investigators also have subpoenaed records from three state agencies for any documents relating to Currie's consulting and a Shoppers store in the Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore. The agencies included the Maryland Transit Administration, the Motor Vehicle Administration and the State Highway Administration.
Another state agency, the Department of Legislative Services, also has turned over subpoenaed documents related to Currie's work as a legislator.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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