Sources: Cook Out

William "Lynnie" Cook is out as chief executive of the Baltimore County Revenue Authority, multiple sources tell Patch.

Cook sent a letter to authorty staff Monday announcing his departure. In it, he cited a number of his accomplishments during his tenure. He said he was leaving to pursue other employment opportunities.

The timeline for his departure is not immediately clear, sources said. One source said he cleared out his office on Monday.

Neither Cook nor Donald Hutchinson, the former county executive and head of the authority's five-member board of directors, responded to requests for an interview.

Cook in recent months had come under increased pressure after a number of stories highlighted a questionable contract with golf pro and instructor Bill Madonna and a golf outing at the exclusive Pine Valley Golf Course. Cook solicited from a company that does business with the authority. State legislators representing the Parkville area had also become concerned about the sale of the Lavender Avenue parking lot.

Del. John Cluster filed three bills aimed at tightening the rules the authority operates under including an emergency bill requiring the authority to seek the approval of the Baltimore County Council prior to selling surplus land.

Two other bills would require the authority to abide by county ethics laws—they are currently exempt from both state and county ethics laws—and follow county purchasing laws and regulations.

Cook suffered series of missteps in dealing with state lawmakers including at a hearing  last week before the House Economic Matters Committee.