ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - The ACLU of Maryland is expressing concern about Gov.-elect Hogan's choice to head the Governor's Office of Homeland Security.
Susan Goering, the executive director of the ACLU of Maryland, urged Hogan in a letter Wednesday to reconsider naming Thomas Hutchins to the position.
She writes that Hutchins was the head of the state police when the agency infiltrated meetings and spied on anti-death penalty and anti-war groups in 2005 and 2006. She pointed to his defense of being on the lookout for "fringe people who try to tag on to legitimate advocacy groups" as a concern.
Erin Montgomery, a Hogan spokeswoman, says Hogan stands by his appointment. She says he has the utmost confidence that Hutchins was the perfect pick for the position and looks forward to working with him.
