“Hogan’s communications shop… did a pretty effective job of intimidating state-based reporters”

The fallout continues for Republican Larry Hogan after Time Magazine “meticulously reported” how, as governor, Hogan directed millions of taxpayer dollars to his own firm’s listed clients, including to develop property owned by Hogan’s stepmother.

Maryland Matters reports that “Hogan’s communications shop, especially early in his tenure as governor, did a pretty effective job of intimidating state-based reporters and grinding them down so they wouldn’t be tempted to” inquire about Hogan’s mounting conflicts of interest.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT.

Maryland Matters: Larry Hogan’s Enduring Influence in Maryland

By Josh Kurtz

October 23, 2024

• The first [Time Magazine article], delivered Oct. 10, reported that many clients from Hogan’s real estate business received lucrative state affordable housing contracts when he was governor. The second, a week later, said Hogan’s family had sold a lucrative property in Frederick County that was going to be developed during the Hogan administration for state-sponsored affordable housing.
  
  
• Talking to reporters after his televised debate with Alsobrooks, Hogan immediately dismissed the first Time piece as “some old false conspiracy theory” and a manufactured, 11th hour partisan hit.
  
  
• But Cortellessa’s reporting has occasionally singed Maryland Democrats, not just Republicans.
  
  
• Hogan’s communications shop, especially early in his tenure as governor, did a pretty effective job of intimidating state-based reporters and grinding them down so they wouldn’t be tempted to make these inquiries. 
  
  
• In early 2018… Maryland Matters ran one of the very first articles about Hogan’s real estate holdings, written by a well-respected freelancer who had been on the staff of the defunct Baltimore City Paper. I’m still suffering PTSD from that experience, I am ashamed to say.
  
  
• Cortellessa’s articles did a very good job of raising questions about whether Hogan should have regularly recused himself during Board of Public Works votes, or at least flagged potential conflicts of interest. You can certainly argue that he should have put his holdings into a blind trust.
  
  
• Maryland media might want to dig deeper into his record as governor and how it impacted his family’s business interests.