The Tirabassi Affair

Baltimore Brew broke the key aspects of a controversy that dogged Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. ahead of his 2024 election to a Maryland Congressional seat. County pension officials had rejected the claim by a retired firefighter that he was entitled to credits from his days as a Baltimore City firefighter. Then came a change of tune: Philip Tirabassi, older brother of one of Olszewski’s high school buddies, got a $83,675 payment, obscured in public records under the fake name of "Philip Dough." The Brew revealed that the same two brothers had arranged for the purchase of land and the sale of a house for the county executive. We further disclosed that the county was spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees to thwart a PIA lawsuit about the secret payment. Or as County Administrator Stacy L. Rodgers said in an email published by The Brew, “Just so wrong on so MANY levels."

Dec 20, 20240

Investigation into secret pension payment to firefighter with ties to Olszewski fizzles out

No wonder the settlement was hidden under the false name of “Philip Dough,” an action that Baltimore County IG Kelly Madigan bent over backwards to find was not “malicious.” [OP-ED]

Dec 18, 20240

County IG report on secret payment to ex-firefighter absolves Olszewski

After investigating, Inspector General Kelly Madigan said the $83,675 payment to Philip Tirabassi was not improper and the use of a fake name to hide the settlement was not malicious.

Aug 5, 20240

A look behind the curtain at the Olszewski administration in action

What a confirmation it would be of his professed commitment to accountability if the Baltimore County Executive came clean on the Tirabassi matter. [OP-ED]

Aug 2, 20240

Under fire over Tirabassi deal, Olszewski’s relationship to the firefighter remains in the spotlight

Social media postings reveal interactions between the Baltimore County Executive and the recipient of a secret payment orchestrated by Olszewski’s staff.

Jul 31, 20240

PART 2: County attorney says she was – “100%” – fired for questioning the Tirabassi deal

PART 2: How the deal was then restructured as a direct payment, hidden with a false name. Plus emails showing the Olszewski administration’s relentless behind-the-scenes push.

Jul 30, 20240

RESPONSE: Tirabassi’s attorney says County Executive Olszewski “sought to renege” on initial settlement

“Mr. Tirabassi was forced to spent a tremendous amount of money to fight to get what he had rightfully earned” claims his lawyer.

Jul 30, 20240

PART 1: Firefighter who got secret cash payment handled personal real estate for Baltimore County Executive Olszewski

PART 1: Philip Tirabassi moonlighted as Johnny Olszewski’s real estate broker. The county executive then assigned his top aides to help him secure retirement benefits unavailable to other employees.

Jul 1, 20240

Olszewski administration seeks $200,000 more in battle over public information records

Former County Administrator Fred Homan is challenging the county executive in a court case over money paid to a retired firefighter that was allegedly disguised by a false name.