Harford County Executive's Office accused of monitoring phone calls, emails to disrupt an investigation

BALTIMORE -- Wiretap allegations against the Harford County Executive's Office are being investigated.

According to a criminal complaint, the wiretapping victims include elected and government officials, and "members of the business community."

Robert Cassilly's office is being accused of monitoring the email and phone communications of a Harford County council member, as well as several others.

Councilman Aaron Penman told WJZ that a "confidential source" provided him with proof of the alleged wiretapping.

He said he turned that information over to the sheriff's office. Now, detectives and the Harford County State's Attorney's Office is investigating.

Penman said Cassilly's office has been monitoring his emails and phone communications, and also those of five others, including the sheriff and Former County Executive Barry Glassman.

"This is alarming," Penman said. "This is a dark stain on the government in Harford County and I really think it needs to be investigated."

Penman said the alleged wiretapping is a result of another incident earlier this year.

Back in May, Penman said the county executive's office allegedly misappropriated $7 million by transferring it to use for the county's EMS without legislative authority.

Penman now wants members of Cassilly's office who were involved in the alleged wiretapping to take a leave of absence while the investigation is underway.

"We have a balance of power," Penman said. "We have a legislative branch and we have the executive branch and if those two are spying on each other it's not good for anyone."

The Harford County Executive's Office has put out a news release about the allegations saying that it is not illegal to search electronic devices owned by the county.

The release goes on to say that the Harford County Executive's Office did do an internal investigation after the misappropriation of funds allegations were made to see if there was any wrongdoing, which included reviewing communications on county servers.

A spokesperson for Cassilly released a scathing statement on the matter saying, in part:  

"This is the second time in the past two months that Councilman Aaron Penman has made wholly unfounded, malicious and slanderous allegations of misconduct... such deplorable political stunts are entirely unbecoming of the office Penman now holds."

The Harford County Sheriff's Office told WJZ they are not commenting on this case while it is under investigation.