Democratic Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr.’s administration has come under fire for secretly paying $83,675 to Philip Tirabassi, the brother of Olszewski’s high school friend, after reneging on a questionable agreement to boost the retired firefighter’s pension. This settlement, which county lawyers warned would violate state law, has now spiraled into a costly legal battle to keep details hidden from the public.

The Baltimore County Council recently approved an additional $200,000 for outside legal counsel, on top of an existing $350,000 allocation, to fight a lawsuit filed by former County Administrative Officer Fred Homan. Homan alleges that the Olszewski administration violated Maryland’s Public Information Act by withholding crucial documents related to the settlement.

Newly released documents from the lawsuit reveal that county lawyers believed allowing Tirabassi to transfer retirement credits from his previous Baltimore City job would be illegal and could jeopardize the entire county retirement system’s tax status. Despite these warnings, Olszewski’s administration proceeded with the payout, citing an “unauthorized agreement” sent by a former county lawyer in early 2020 as justification.

The timeline of events suggests a concerning pattern of backroom dealings. County officials, including Olszewski himself, were engaged in discussions about Tirabassi’s claim as early as 2019. The decision to pay Tirabassi from the county’s general liability fund in spring 2020 raises questions about the appropriate use of taxpayer money.

While Olszewski denies having a close personal relationship with Philip Tirabassi, he admits to being friends with Tirabassi’s brother, John, since high school. The county executive’s claim that the settlement was not a favor to his friend’s brother seems at odds with the secretive nature of the payout and the subsequent efforts to conceal information.

This incident highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in local government, particularly when it comes to the use of public funds. The Olszewski administration’s actions appear to prioritize personal connections over the interests of Baltimore County taxpayers, undermining public trust in the process.

As Olszewski now runs for Congress, voters should carefully consider whether this type of behind-the-scenes dealing and lack of transparency aligns with their expectations for ethical leadership and responsible governance.