Glen Geelhaar
2514 Windsor Rd
Parkville, Maryland 21234

October 14, 2024

RE: Formal Ethics Complaint against Baltimore County Republican Central Committee (BCRCC) Member Deb Sullivan

Dear BCRCC Chair Fallon,

This letter serves as an official formal complaint to be forwarded to the Ethics subcommittee for immediate investigation and review.

Your first response on October 1, 2024, acknowledged receipt of my complaint and indicated that it would be “handled in accordance with BCRCC procedures and bylaws”.

Your second response on October 9, 2024, stated, “Just so you know... according to the BCRCC Bylaws, the Chairman is the only one who can officially speak for the BCRCC unless a member is given express permission to do so. Therefore, any comments made by a member do not represent and cannot represent the BCRCC unless I have given them permission.”

However, one of your Central Committee members, Deb Sullivan, took it upon herself to berate a candidate for office and imposed conditions for support based on her own demands for compliance. This was done in public, at an official BCRCC event, and in front of voters, members, and even including my daughter. She even went as far as making a defamatory and untrue “psychological diagnosis” about me. These actions violated the bylaws as currently written. Please ensure that my initial communication is included as part of this complaint, as I intend to release a press statement and other media releases soon.

I formally request that this complaint be referred to the Ethics subcommittee regarding Ms. Sullivan’s conduct during the BCRCC Picnic. She stated that “we” would not support me unless I issued a public apology for alleged remarks about her, Councilman David Marks, and former BCRCC Chair Kathy Smero. As my representatives, I have the right to challenge their positions and actions. Sullivan’s actions represent behavior unbecoming of her position.

This message is also being communicated to the State Party for their review and investigation.

Ms. Sullivan has violated Article 1, Section 15 of the BCRCC Bylaws, which your administration and members approved: (emphasis mine)

**Article 1, Section 15: Behavior Classified as Misconduct**

Behavior as detailed in this Section is prohibited of Central Committee members and punishable under Article I, Section 2(B):

**A. Slander and Libel Against Republican Candidates, Republican Nominees, Elected Office Holders, and Committee Members:** At no time after the passage of this amendment, while serving as a member of the BCRCC or as an elected Republican officeholder, shall a BCRCC member or elected Republican officeholder materially, demonstrably, publicly, or knowingly create, disseminate, or otherwise promote false information with the intent of harming the reputation of Republican Candidates, Republican Nominees, elected officeholders, or fellow Committee members.

**Article 1, Section 2(B): Charges of Misfeasance, Malfeasance, Nonfeasance, and Misconduct.**

The Central Committee holds sole jurisdiction over charges of misfeasance, malfeasance, nonfeasance, and misconduct as defined by the BCRCC and Maryland Republican Party Bylaws. The Central Committee may, by a two-thirds vote, remove a member or censure an officeholder*. (*but first must be referred to Ethics for review, and recommendations to the full body)

Additionally, Ms. Sullivan previously violated her oath and the bylaws by contributing over $2,000 to Democrat Del. Carl Jackson. Despite this violation, the matter was inappropriately “handled” by Al Mendelsohn on August 22, 2022, without proper due process or Ethics review. In other words, he lacked the authority. 

His email in response to the complainant:

“I have reached out to Deb Sullivan and the State and County Party. Though she was appointed in June, she has never received the bylaws. She understands that she violated the rules and pledged to never do it again. She expressed remorse and seems very sorry.

This concludes the investigation and there will be no punishment beyond the admonishment that I just sent her by email.”

The fact he solely chose to have concluded the investigation and administered only an informal admonishment, in addition to the “forgiveness” from then acting-Chair Bocelli at a future BCRCC meeting, was insufficient and unauthorized.

Given the aforementioned violations, I reiterate my request from my original communication and expect the following:

• A detailed explanation of the level of support I can expect from the BCRCC if I issue a public apology, as Ms. Sullivan’s comments suggested that support might be contingent upon my compliance.
• A full refund of all contributions made by me at the BCRCC event in question.
• A public apology from Ms. Sullivan, posted on both the Baltimore County and State Republican Party websites, issued via a formal press release, and read aloud at the next BCRCC meeting, with the apology included in the meeting minutes.
• The resignation or removal of Ms. Sullivan from the BCRCC.

The purpose of the Central Committee is to recruit and support candidates to advance the party's platform and win elections. Members unwilling to provide even minimal support, such as assisting with signs or making phone calls for party candidates, should consider resignation, so they can more freely support their chosen candidates. Such actions would significantly reduce the infighting currently fostered by the BCRCC’s inconsistent and biased behavior.

Sincerely,
Glen Geelhaar
Republican Candidate for Delegate, District 8 

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