Former Maryland Environmental Services operations director Matthew Sherring, lower left, taking the oath as he prepared to testify before a legislative panel. At top left is the outside counsel the committee hired to assist in its investigation, Ward B. C
Matthew Sherring, a former top official at the Maryland Environmental Service, refused to answer more than 170 questions during an appearance before a legislative committee on Thursday.
His refusal to tell the committee about the service’s financial and employment practices — particularly its decision to give a lucrative severance to a former chief of staff to Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R) — infuriated members of the Joint Committee on Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight.
They accused him of stonewalling the committee’s investigation and they vowed to press ahead for answers.
Although the Maryland Environmental Service is not a state agency, it is a “not-for-profit business unit” whose board is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. An estimated 95% of MES revenue comes from the county and municipal governments that contract with the service to handle public works and environmental projects.
