The dominant Maryland dem state legislature and the compliant Baltimore Sun did this same thing to previous Republican governor Ehrlich for almost his entire term. More time and money was spent by legislators investigating his "firing practices" of political appointees than to a serious problem with the Gas and Electric company. Ehrlich is lousy with defending himself and kept talking about "at-will" employees, which is not self-explanatory. He lost his re-election bid even though he had a 60% epproval rating only a few months before the election.
Maryland is a test state for national dem politics. Ehrlich was defeated by the failed mayor of Baltimore City whose slogan was "Believe", not believe in anything, just believe. Just like "Change."