Gov. Hogan rules out state police investigation of Kavanaugh allegations

[DonViejo]

By Michael Dresser
The Baltimore Sun


Gov. Larry Hogan on Friday ruled out involving the Maryland State Police in any investigation of allegations that U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl more than 30 years ago in Montgomery County.

The Republican governor was asked at a news conference about a letter Democratic state Sen. Cheryl Kagan of Montgomery sent him. She urged Hogan to take the step because the White House has not ordered the FBI to look into the allegations made by Christine Blasey Ford about Kavanaugh’s actions at a high school party.

Hogan said he had not heard about the request, but he immediately turned it down.

“The Maryland State Police will not be getting involved in this,” he said. Hogan did not elaborate on his reasons.

Spokesmen for state and county police said Friday they would not investigate unless they received a complaint — which they said has not happened. State police also said that, in any case, they have an agreement with county police that means local officials investigate such crimes in their jurisdiction.

more
https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-hogan-kavanagh-20180921-story.html

[hlthe2b]

1. Grandstanding.. It is not the state's responsibiliy to investigate, but rather local authorities.

F'ing Republican...

[john657]

2. Which is exactly why the FBI has no jurisdiction

to investigate the allegation.

[Kingofalldems]

10. They have the jurisdiction to do background checks.

[john657]

14. You are 100% correct,

but the WH would have to direct them to reopen the background investigation, I have a better chance of making the winter snow and wind stop here in WY. then the infant idiot giving the clearance to the FBI.

[hlthe2b]

11. for the 1000th time, FBI has no criminal jurisdiction but they CAN & SHOULD have investigated for

CLEARANCE and VETTING purposes. These are quite different, but that IS THE role for the FBI in this.

[john657]

15. And for the 1000th time,

WH would have to direct the FBI to reopen the background investigation, which is highly unlikely to happen.

[hlthe2b]

16. FBI could decide their background check had been incomplete and do so themselves. This is just CYA

(for the 1000th time). They are placating Trump by claiming he must request the "reopen" but background checks are reopened all the time when new (serious) missed info comes to light

[john657]

18. No, they can't.

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/407081-trump-hasnt-asked-fbi-to-investigate-kavanaugh-accusations-yet-report

President Trump has not asked the FBI to look into the sexual misconduct allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh as of Monday afternoon, according to Bloomberg News.

Two people familiar with the matter told the news outlet that in order for an additional investigation to take place, the White House would need to request one since Kavanaugh’s initial background check has been completed.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill on whether Trump has requested the FBI take action.

Christine Blasey Ford came forward on Sunday and publicly discussed her allegations against Kavanaugh for the first time, days before a scheduled vote on his nomination by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Numerous active and former FBI agents have said the same thing.

[hlthe2b]

19. Because of the politics with Trump they are maintaining this. The truth is that FBI can extend its

background checks when new info comes in and does so routinely when conducting high level clearance investigations.. They obviously would not make findings public without the request of the initiating agency, but this is an internal procedure that is routinely done.

[john657]

20. Then I guess you better tell the FBI that,

because they've said numerous times that without the WH ok, their hands are basically tied.

But, I'll take the word of the FBI over an anonymous person on the internet.

Have a great weekend.

[hlthe2b]

21. I already discussed this.. Try again.

[john657]

22. No need, we've reached an impasse.

You have a great weekend.

[mythology]

33. But you haven't cited what supports your contention

Merely stating an opinion doesn't actually mean the opinion is correct. Cite an example of a background check being redone after being completed without the original requesting entity requesting a new or amended background check.

[hlthe2b]

36. Do you have family members who work in the FBI?

I didn't think so. Ever been through a confidential background check yourself? No, I didn't think so.

Perhaps you should educate YOURSELF

[CincyDem]

3. And that would fall to the Montgomery Co Prosecutor's office where Kavanaugh's mom used to work. nt

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

24. Well, Hogan needs to be removed from office too.

[GWC58]

30. I'll second that!

Come Election Day I hope Hogan will be a bit Jealous! 🤔

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

31. Haha, yesss!!

[brooklynite]

40. Not a chance from the data I've seen...

The latest two polls have had Jealous below 40%.

[GWC58]

41. Yeah, well I'm still gonna vote for

Big Ben. Never, ever voted Republican and I am certainly not going to start in 2018! Even though Hogan is heavily favored. 🤔

[former9thward]

34. How is it "grandstanding"?

He was asked a question and answered it. Should he have ignored it?

[hlthe2b]

35. It isn't HIS decision to make... The State Police are not in charge of local crimes. The decision

whether or not to investigate lies with local Police and Prosecutors, not the Governor, Not the State Police, Not the State Attorney General.

Implying that it was HIS decision to make was and IS GRANDSTANDING for political (ie. Trump) benefit.

WHat I just laid out in terms of jurisdiction is the answer to the question asked.

[democratic friend]

4. Can this finally help hogan to lose in November?

Still can’t believe he probably will be reelected. So disgusting. I will take any excuse to have him lose and if not helping Dr. Ford does it, good. Shameful republicans.

[john657]

5. Why would it help him lose?

He's only saying what's true, the state police defer to the local authorities where the alleged crime happened, in this case, Montgomery County.

[democratic friend]

7. He is a republican after all

I don’t support republicans.

[john657]

8. And I'm not supporting him either, I don't even live in MD, I live in WY,

but he's only stating what's true, so it probably won't have any bearing on his re-election.

[democratic friend]

9. You are 100 percent correct. I'm biased.

[john657]

12. LOL.

So am I, I would love to see all 50 states governed by Democrats, but the chances of that are slim to none, and slim has already left the station.

Have a great weekend.

[democratic friend]

23. You too! Have a great weekend!!!!!

[Kingofalldems]

13. So in WY you are an expert in Maryland law?

[john657]

17. What law,

I said, according to the state police, they, defer to local authorities.

[AncientGeezer]

26. From the article..

"Spokesmen for state and county police said Friday they would not investigate unless they received a complaint — which they said has not happened. State police also said that, in any case, they have an agreement with county police that means local officials investigate such crimes in their jurisdiction."

[Gothmog]

6. Vote this idiot out

[rogue emissary]

25. Hogan has had a big lead over Jealous his Democratic challenger.

This is the first mistake I've seen Hogan make.

If Jealous is smart. He'll run on investigating Kavanaugh. Hogan hasn't given a legitimate reason and it will tarnish his moderate facade. Hell, with Gillbrand's endorsement recently. Jealous should do a joint press conference with her calling on Hogan to do the right thing.

[brooklynite]

28. What is the mistake?

Legally, no charge has been made against Kavanaugh; why should the State Government engage in any investigation until there is one?

[rogue emissary]

29. Cause it's not up to him.

It's as if she files a criminal complaint and Hogan told them not to investigate. At least I haven't seen anyone say Maryland's governor has veto power over what criminal investigate the state undertakes.

He should have kept his mouth shut or gave the standard. "it's up to the state police and the victimto determine a course of action" and leave it at that.

Just read this thread in the Maryland fourm.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10562538
"Maryland Police Chief Defies Trump, Says He Will Investigate"

[brooklynite]

38. But it's not up to the State Police...

Murder/assault/rape are not State crimes; they're investigated and adjudicated in the local jurisdiction.

[rogue emissary]

39. Correct. I errored when I wrote State police.

Should have figured out which MD county the assault occurred and said the police in that county could start an investigation.

[Gothmog]

32. I like Ben Jealous but he is a long shot

[AncientGeezer]

27. From the article..

"Spokesmen for state and county police said Friday they would not investigate unless they received a complaint — which they said has not happened. State police also said that, in any case, they have an agreement with county police that means local officials investigate such crimes in their jurisdiction."

[OnDoutside]

37. Can he order Brian Frosh not to investigate if she makes a complaint ?