Did @GovernorOMalley Violate State Law? @JudicialWatch Calls for Investigation

Hat tip to Ann over at Potomac Tea Party Report for this one.

Apparently Governor Marty may have used his official state letterhead for partisan political purposes, which may be a violation of Maryland state law. Judicial Watch has requested an investigation.

In that letter, O’Malley included the following:

“I don’t need to remind you how important this election is. Whether it’s protecting the investments we make together in our schools, re-electing Senator Cardin, Congressman Van Hollen, and President Obama, or helping elect a new Democratic Congressional majority by sending John Delaney to Congress – the work we do together during this election cycle will determine what type of work we’re able to do together for the people of our State in the years to come.

I’m writing to ask not only for your vote, but for your voice.”

Judicial Watch Weekly Update reports:

…here’s what the law [Section 15-506 of the State Government Article of the Maryland Code] states: “An official or employee may not intentionally use the prestige of office or public position for that official’s or employee’s private gain or that of another.”

Because so much turns on the technical assessment of these terms, let’s define a couple of them. The Governor of Maryland is certainly a public position, yes? And “private gain” obviously includes personal political objectives, such as seeing a favored candidate win or achieving a desired election result on a ballot question.

Now emphasizing the importance of this legal provision at a critical time (an election year), the State Ethics Commission sent a memorandum on January 4, 2012, to all state employees, board members and candidates, stating:  “As a practical matter, [Section 15-506] prohibits the use of State time, materials, equipment, or facilities for political purposes.”

“Materials” as described above would obviously include official State letterhead, wouldn’t you agree?

I certainly would.