Local News

FBI: Currie Used Influence For Chain's Benefit

BALTIMORE (WJZ) ― Federal investigators say powerful Maryland State Senator Ulysses Currie used his position to benefit one of the nation's largest grocery store chains, Shoppers Food Warehouse, and called executives hundreds of times.

These new revelations are made in court documents obtained by Eyewitness News.

Mike Hellgren reports in the affidavit, the FBI contends Currie purposely concealed his paid relationship with Shoppers in order to help the grocery store giant.  The FBI also reveals Currie was under surveillance by FBI agents.

The search warrant obtained by WJZ shows federal investigators were looking for checks, notes and computer records relating to Shoppers Food Warehouse when they searched Currie's home last May.

"They left a list of what they'd taken on the table," Currie said at the time.

Currie wasn't revealing anything more at the time and his lawyers fought to keep the court records private.  Parts of them still are, including how much Shoppers paid Currie to be a consultant for them since 2003.

Currie made no report of any Shoppers income and no conflict of interest filing with the State Ethics Commission, despite his position chairing the influential Budget and Taxation Committee that controls all legislation relating to the state budget.

"It casts him under a shadow and sometimes you never get out," said political analyst Matthew Crenson.

The FBI claims Currie intervened in several measures to benefit the grocery industry, including how much taxes retailers can retain and fighting a raise in retailers' taxes.  He also became involved in a dispute over a liquor license for another Shoppers store.

"You cannot ever justify withholding this kind of information from the public," said political analyst Richard Vatz.

The documents show Currie made 320 calls to Shoppers executives over four years, including several following the opening of a new store at Mondawmin Mall, which needed access to land owned by the state.

An FBI agent wrote, "It is my belief that Currie used his official position and influence in connection with such legislation and in certain business transactions involving the state of Maryland in ways that would have benefited Shoppers."

"He hasn't been charged with anything yet.  A search warrant is not a charge," said political analyst Byron Warnken.

Currie's lawyer has declined to speak to WJZ about the case.  Shortly after the raid, Currie said he's concentrating on what's important.

"I need to focus on my family, my child, my constituents," he said.

Once again, Currie has not been charged with any crime.  He declined to say whether he would step down from his elected office.

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