Then-Governor Hogan directed millions of taxpayer dollars to develop family property; pad pockets of clients

Maryland lawmakers want to prevent future governors from using public office for personal gain. Their efforts follow explosive reporting from TIME Magazine that found that former Governor Larry Hogan repeatedly voted to direct millions of taxpayer dollars to his real estate firm’s listed clients, including $16 million to develop his own family’s property. Hogan has failed to answer to Marylanders about his shady business dealings as governor, including why he refused to establish a blind trust despite clear conflicts of interest.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT.

Baltimore Sun: Maryland Lawmakers Want Governors to Face Stronger Ethics Laws

By Natalie Jones

February 27, 2025

• Lawmakers are seeking to require that Maryland governors place their personal financial holdings into a blind trust months after conflicts of interest were raised during Maryland’s U.S. Senate race between former Gov. Larry Hogan and now-Sen. Angela Alsobrooks.
• Senate Bill 723 and House Bill 932 would require the governor to either place their financial interests into a certified blind trust approved by the State Ethics Commission or divest from any interest the SEC determines may pose a conflict of interest with the governor’s public duties.
• [TIME Magazine] claimed the former governor had approved millions of dollars in affordable housing awards for six developers who were clients of his real estate brokerage firm.
• Moore finalized the creation of a blind trust several months after taking office.
• Joanne Antoine, executive director of Common Cause Maryland… [said] that over the last few years, the public has been questioning the actions of former governors.
• “Conflicts of interest are cancerous to our democracy,” she said. “When our elected officials put their interests first, what they’re sending is a message to the public that the state doesn’t think their needs are a priority.”