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A federal grand jury issued a new subpoena yesterday to the state anti-crime office for records of the work done by a former employee who said publicly this week that she was assigned to do a research project to benefit Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend's campaign for governor.
The claims made by Margaret T. Burns, former communications director of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention, have been sharply disputed by past and present Townsend aides.
The GOCCP is an agency overseen by Townsend, who is expected to face a close gubernatorial race against Republican Rep. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.
The latest subpoena asked for records of any database of grant information that Burns compiled or used while at the crime control office or the University of Maryland, College Park.
Burns is among more than 30 people who were listed on a previous subpoena that sought records of those paid under grants awarded to UM.
University officials said they hired the workers at the request of the crime control office but had no supervisory authority over them.
The employees reported to supervisors at the GOCCP.
Stephen P. Amos, the agency's director, said the hiring arrangement was allowable under federal guidelines and was a "cost-effective" way to staff and manage the office.
Project called political
Yesterday's subpoena was issued one day after Burns told reporters that Townsend's top aide, Alan Fleischmann, assigned her in January last year to compile the grants database. She said she regarded the project as political in nature.
"I was told I was really the only one that could prepare the kind of database that was needed for this project," Burns said.
She described the data as a compilation of Townsend's accomplishments through the crime-control agency.
Burns, who is now spokeswoman for the Baltimore state's attorney's office, said the work involved going through all press releases, grants and newspaper clippings relating to projects funded through the agency.
She said yesterday that she has not been interviewed by federal agents or subpoenaed to testify before the grand jury.
Federal authorities appear to be investigating whether state employees were used to improperly support Townsend's political activities.
Fleischmann and Amos say that the project to which Burns was assigned was needed for the office and that it had nothing to do with politics.
Another ex-aide's view
A former top-level aide to Townsend said Burns told him early last year that the project was essential to the operations of the office.
Adam Gelb, Townsend's chief adviser on crime issues until he left her staff in 2000, said he talked with Burns twice during the months she compiled the data.
The claims made by Margaret T. Burns, former communications director of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention, have been sharply disputed by past and present Townsend aides.
The GOCCP is an agency overseen by Townsend, who is expected to face a close gubernatorial race against Republican Rep. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.
The latest subpoena asked for records of any database of grant information that Burns compiled or used while at the crime control office or the University of Maryland, College Park.
Burns is among more than 30 people who were listed on a previous subpoena that sought records of those paid under grants awarded to UM.
University officials said they hired the workers at the request of the crime control office but had no supervisory authority over them.
The employees reported to supervisors at the GOCCP.
Stephen P. Amos, the agency's director, said the hiring arrangement was allowable under federal guidelines and was a "cost-effective" way to staff and manage the office.
"I was told I was really the only one that could prepare the kind of database that was needed for this project," Burns said.
She described the data as a compilation of Townsend's accomplishments through the crime-control agency.
Burns, who is now spokeswoman for the Baltimore state's attorney's office, said the work involved going through all press releases, grants and newspaper clippings relating to projects funded through the agency.
She said yesterday that she has not been interviewed by federal agents or subpoenaed to testify before the grand jury.
Federal authorities appear to be investigating whether state employees were used to improperly support Townsend's political activities.
Fleischmann and Amos say that the project to which Burns was assigned was needed for the office and that it had nothing to do with politics.
Adam Gelb, Townsend's chief adviser on crime issues until he left her staff in 2000, said he talked with Burns twice during the months she compiled the data.
