The team researching allegations of voter fraud for gubernatorial candidate Ellen R. Sauerbrey called Baltimore County police yesterday and demanded the ejection of a 69-year-old Clarksville volunteer as a possible spy.
Police would not release the man's identity, because he was not arrested or charged. If Sauerbrey headquarters decides to press charges, the man might have to appear in court, police spokesman E. Jay Miller said, although his only crime would appear to be pocketing two sheets of paper.
A spokeswoman at the Sauerbrey headquarters refused to comment.
Mr. Miller said police got a 911 emergency call at 2:30 p.m. from Sauerbrey headquarters at 10600 York Road.
He said John Carbone, the New Jersey lawyer spearheading the Sauerbrey effort, told officers that "several volunteers had been going through voter rolls when a volunteer was found copying materials and placing the materials in his pocket," Mr. Miller said.
"Mr. Carbone told officers he was concerned the man would provide information to Glendening headquarters," Mr. Miller said, referring to Gov.-elect Parris N. Glendening.
He said Mr. Carbone told police the man had been turned down for a paid job as a voter roll specialist several weeks ago but stayed on to volunteer for Mrs. Sauerbrey's campaign anyway.
"The man told officers he was a Sauerbrey supporter," Mr. Miller said.
When police arrived at the scene, the man handed officers two sheets of photocopied paper from his pocket. He said he was taking examples to study voter rolls, Mr. Miller said.
"He said he probably made a mistake by not asking permission, but didn't think it was a big deal," Mr. Miller said.
Mrs. Sauerbrey, the Republican gubernatorial candidate, lost the Nov. 8 election by 5,993 votes out of more than 1.4 million cast. Backed by a team of volunteers researching alleged election fraud and other irregularities, she filed suit in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court this week to overturn the results.