License Is Restored for Station in Pr. George's

Sen. Nathaniel Exum (D-Prince George's) has held up confirmation of the state police chief nominee. (By James M. Thresher -- The Washington Post)
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During a police investigation, the station was put under surveillance for several days. On one day, 10 inspection certificates were issued. None matched the vehicles that entered the station's driveway, the judge wrote.

Hilltop's license was revoked in 2004.

Wilson said that at the time the license was revoked, he had been providing inspections at his shop for 25 years. Wilson said that a judge said he could reapply for a license but outlined no timeline. After that, he said, he was unable to get state action.

"Each time I applied, they would send us a note: 'We received your application, but we're not ready to relicense you,' " Wilson said. "This went on for a couple of years."

Thomas E. Hutchins, Sheridan's predecessor, said Exum sought a meeting with him about Hilltop soon after he was nominated by former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) to lead the state police force in December 2003.

"He made a call to me, and I met with him the first month I came into office," Hutchins said.

Hutchins said he recalled being concerned at the time about how long it was taking to determine whether Hilltop's license should be revoked. He said he was not aware of the initiation of a probationary license during his tenure but said the entire issue was "a blip on a radar screen" for him.

Wilson said he was alerted about two or three weeks ago that his shop would be reinspected by state authorities as part of a new licensing process. He said he was told March 3 that the shop had been reapproved as an inspection site.

"The trooper said everything was straight, and they would be coming back with the sign showing that you're an authorized inspection service station," Wilson said.

Wilson said Exum's intervention only helped to ensure that he received a fair shake from state officials.

Sen. Verna L. Jones (D-Baltimore), chairwoman of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, said that the only concerns she has heard regarding Sheridan relate to personnel and allegations of racial profiling by police. She said she was not aware of Exum's concern about Hilltop.

"If that's an issue, that's his issue," Jones said.

Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-Prince George's) said he had heard "some discussion" of Exum's concern regarding Hilltop.

"I heard it mentioned, but I didn't fully understand it," Currie said. "It was never discussed when we met with the governor or when some African American senators came together."