Amidst new revelations, GOP asks Currie to step down as Senate Budget chair

The Maryland Republican Party is asking state Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-Prince George’s County) to step down from his position as chair of the state’s Budget and Taxation Committee.

According to the Associated Press, an affidavit from an FBI special agent made public on Tuesday accused Currie had used his office to benefit companies in which he was doing consultation business with.

"During the time period that Currie received payments from SFW and SuperValu, Currie voted on a number of bills that impacted, or would have impacted, the grocery industry and therefore, SFW and its parent company SuperValu," wrote FBI special agent Steven Quisenberry in an affidavit.

He continued: “Based on the facts set forth in this affidavit, it is my belief that Currie used his official position and influence in connection with such legislation and in certain business transactions involving the State of Maryland, in ways that benefited or would have benefited SFW and SuperValu.”

The MDGOP responded, charging that Currie had violated state ethics laws but also praised state Sen. Mike Miller (D).

“In light of these recent revelations of influence peddling and ethics violations, the Maryland Republican Party strongly renews their call for Senator Ulysses Currie to resign his post as Chairman of the state's power Budget & Taxation Committee while the investigation is ongoing,” Wrote MDGOP Chair James Pelura in a statement. “While Currie has not yet been charged with a federal crime, he has clearly violated state ethics laws by hiding his employment as a lobbyist for a large supermarket chain.”

He continued: “I also want to commend Senate President Mike Miller for following our lead in pushing for Senator Currie to stand down until this investigation is resolved.”

Currie’s offices declined to comment for this article.