ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The governor's chief legal counselor released 14,500 e-mail messages from or to longtime aide to Gov. Bob Ehrlich, Joseph Steffen.
Ehrlich fired Steffen after it became public that he helped spread rumors about Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley's marriage, WBAL-TV 11 News reporter David Collins reported.
WBAL-TV 11, in addition to nine other news organizations, filed a Public Information Act request to obtain the messages.
WBAL-TV 11 submitted its request for the e-mails in hopes of learning whether Steffen had the authority to hire and fire state workers, whether he acted under orders from the governor and to what extent he spread the O'Malley rumors.
In some of the messages, Steffen signed "The Prince of Dark Communications," Collins reported. Democratic leaders in the State House charge Steffen called himself "The Prince of Darkness," drawing up lists of state workers who should be fired for political reasons -- a charge the Ehrlich administration vehemently denies, Collins reported.
In one of the messages, Steffen wrote that he suspected Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-District 2, and Baltimore County Jim Smith were behind the "hunt."
In another message, Maryland's first lady Kendel Ehrlich sent a message to Steffen several days before the story broke about his participation in rumormongering. The first lady wrote: "Relax, you'll be fine. We need you."
Collins said Steffen replied via e-mail, saying "he's willing to throw himself on the grenade if that's the desire from above."
The e-mail message, however, does not indicate who Steffen is referring to.
In another e-mail message, Steffen wrote: "He meets regularly with appointments" -- a reference to the state appointment Secretary Larry Hogan, writing about what to do.
Steffen wrote: "We need viable replacements. Personnel is policy to 'Ronald Reagan.'"
"The idea that Steffen was a rogue, maverick employee is going to be the farthest thing from the truth," House Speaker Michael Busch said.
On Tuesday, House leaders said they will join the Senate after Session 2005 in an investigation into the hiring and firing practices of the Ehrlich administration.
Stay with TheWBALChannel.com and WBAL-TV 11 News for the latest political news updates. Previous Stories: - March 10, 2005: Transportation Head Moves From Senate To House
- March 9, 2005: Senators Fire Questions At Transportation Secretary
- March 9, 2005: Former Port Of Baltimore Director Finds New Job
- March 8, 2005: Lawmakers To Investigate Ehrlich Staffing Practices
- February 11, 2005: Governor 'Annoyed' After Article Questions Rumor Comment
- March 4, 2005: E-Mails Shed Light On Role Of Ehrlich Aide
- February 10, 2005: Former Ehrlich Aide Sends Apology To O'Malley
- February 9, 2005: O'Malleys React To Rumors, Firing Of Governor's Aide
- February 9, 2005: Ehrlich Aide Denies Starting O'Malley Rumor
Copyright 2006 by TheWBALChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Video: 
