Highway Backer a Steady Ehrlich Donor

Further, they've given $21,000 to Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele (R), $163,100 to the GOP's state and federal accounts, and $65,000 to other state and local politicians.

If those numbers sound jarring -- Maryland campaign finance laws prohibit donors from giving more than $4,000 to any individual and from donating more than $10,000 in one four-year cycle -- there is an explanation. Gould exploits a well-worn loophole by making his donations through his limited liability corporations.

Gould is not alone. Homebuilder J. William Ruppert gave O'Malley $25,000 through various companies at a Jan. 11 fundraiser, according to a Common Cause Maryland analysis. Aris Mardirossian, developer of Crown Farm at the western end of the intercounty connector, gave $20,000 through relatives and businesses to County Executive Douglas M. Duncan (D) who was running for governor, and $8,000 to Ehrlich, campaign finance records show.

Montgomery County Council member Phil Andrews (D-Gaithersburg-Rockville), a former state Common Cause director, has criticized this practice, saying such donations "make a mockery of the campaign finance laws."

"These contributions unquestionably have a corrupting influence on state government," he said.

Ehrlich disagrees, saying the donations were not intended to exert influence but rather to lend support because of a longtime friendship between the Goulds and first lady Kendel S. Ehrlich.

"Kendel lived with Susan Gould on their property as a bachelorette, and they've been supportive of my campaign all the way along," Ehrlich said last week.

Ehrlich said he has met with the Goulds on "Konterra-related issues" on a couple of occasions, and he wouldn't rule out the possibility that Gould has attempted to press him on various transportation projects over the years.

"Obviously, I mean, does he have credibility? Is he a success? Of course he has credibility," Ehrlich said.

The governor said he considers the development a terrific project, ideally suited for the expected explosion of jobs from the expansion at nearby Fort Meade. He also supports the intercounty connector, persuading the federal government to "fast track" its approval.

The gravel pits in Laurel that the family bought in 1981 have much to offer a developer. The land sits halfway between Washington and Baltimore. It is not far from a major airport. And it straddles busy I-95 and the CSX rail line used by the state's commuter railway.

Kingdon Gould Jr. first circulated his mini-city proposal in 1982. Early estimates suggested that it could yield at least $500 million in tax revenue for the county, more than $700 million for the state and, ultimately, more than 40,000 jobs.