Former Political Candidate Seeks Part Of William Donald Schaefer Estate

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—A former Baltimore political candidate files a claim to part of the William Donald Schaefer estate.

Political reporter Pat Warren reports, Mike Schaefer says he shares more with the former governor than the spelling of their last names.

Mike Schaefer shows some of the trinkets he's received as a friend of William Donald Schaefer.

"Here's a tie clasp he wore as governor with his signature on it and the state of Maryland with the signature William Donald Schaefer," Mike Schaefer said.

A signature tie clasp, probably more than one, immortalized in the statue of the former governor at the Inner Harbor is not all Mike Schaefer lays claim to. He believes he should get $28,000 for time spent and promises made to him with and by the former governor.

"It's more about carrying out Don's wish," said Mike Schaefer. "Don was giving me his library, his record collection, planning trips with me; he was on my companion pass with Southwest. He was sort of like family to me so he would have wanted me to have some recognition."

Mike Schaefer claims that from the time of William Donald Schaefer left the comptroller's office, the two of them met several times a week. He claims the reasonable value of services for meals, transportation, errands and purchases is $28,000 in a period of 56 months.

"If I had the courage to discuss money with him, which I never really could bring myself to doing, he would have done something of that nature," said Mike Schaefer.

Mike Schaefer says the two men bonded over their shared name and shared interest in politics. Mike Schafer has campaigned for senate, mayor, and last year, as Baltimore sheriff, hoping to capitalize on the name.

"The governor and I would sing songs together, we had a marvelous time," Mike Schaefer said. "I think he enjoyed that he had somebody he could talk about things he knew."

An attorney for the estate tells WJZ they are reviewing the claim. If his claim is not granted, Mike Schaefer says he will appeal.