Internet Political 'Scam' Eyed; Ehrlich Aide Seeks Probe

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Byline: S.A. Miller, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s chief legal counsel yesterday called on Democratic leaders to investigate newly exposed ties between the state Democratic Party and an Internet chat room visitor who apparently orchestrated a "dirty tricks" campaign to smear the administration.

Chief Counsel Jervis S. Finney said Democrats appear to have been players in a "scam" to discredit Mr. Ehrlich, a Republican.

The involvement of a Democratic operative "certainly takes it a step further and it would seem the so-called Special Committee [on Employee Rights and Protections] and the Maryland Democratic Party should seek at …