Former Governor Ehrlich Testifies Before Grand Jury In Robo-Calls Case
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Former Governor Bob Ehrlich has testified before a grand jury. It's all part of the investigation into what some say were deceptive calls to voters on Election Day.
Kai Jackson explains many of Ehrlich's aides were also subpoenaed.
A former city state's attorney says the legal process will have to play out before any conclusions can be made.
The controversy stems from the last gubernatorial election and robo-calls that went out on behalf of former Governor Bob Ehrlich's re-election campaign.
The calls went out to an estimated 112,000 homes in Democratic precincts in Baltimore and Prince George's County.
"I'm calling to let everyone know that Governor O'Malley and President Obama have been successful. We're OK, relax. Everything is fine. The only thing left is to watch it on TV tonight," the robo-call said.
The state prosecutor impaneled a grand jury three weeks ago to investigate. Now our media partner, The Baltimore Sun, is reporting that former Governor Ehrlich, several of his top aides and a former elections board chief testified to the grand jury last week about the calls.
"Unfortunately, it's not unusual in any state for a former official [to testify before a grand jury]," said former Baltimore City State's Attorney Stu Simms.
Some Maryland Democrats charge the calls were a ploy to discourage voters from going to the polls.
"I think the reaction that I heard and the reaction that I had was it seemed to be strange," Simms said.
Simms says he believes the state prosecutor will play out the legal process in this case involving election robo-calls.
"Any individual is presumed innocent in any sense and an individual who testifies normally can do so without fear of any reprisal unless they are told they are actually subject or target of the grand jury," Simms said.
Political strategist Julius Henson admitted he was a paid employee of the Ehrlich campaign.
"Mr. Ehrlich had probably no knowledge of the call," Henson said.
WJZ also received a subpoena as part of this case. The subpoena is for the interview with Julius Henson that aired in November.
