IG fights back after Scott neuters her powers
Mayor Scott signals he’ll fight any court order that restores powers to the inspector general
Repeats his accusation that IG Isabel Mercedes Cumming had “abused” her access to city records “for personal motives.”
Above: Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Circuit Court Judge Pamela White.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott indicated last night he won’t accept a court order that would allow Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming direct access to city records, once again alleging that Cumming has “abused her previous unfettered access to information . . for personal motives.”
His reaction came hours after Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Pamela J. White said she would rule favorably on Cumming’s lawsuit requesting access to city emails and financial records that were severed last January during her investigation of the SideStep youth diversion program administered by the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE).
A preliminary public report issued in March said the program paid fraudulent invoices and was rife with data breaches.
“We maintain serious concerns about the lack of true oversight of the Inspector General’s access to and use of records,” the mayor said in an online statement later sent to The Brew.
“As the city raised in court, the Inspector General has repeatedly abused her previous unfettered access to information and violated attorney-client privilege for personal motives,” the mayor said. Then apparently alluding to Judge White, he added, “Those concerns have not been addressed.”
“Those concerns have not been addressed” – Mayor reacting to court hearing.
Similar accusations were rejected yesterday by White, who noted that the IG’s mission to investigate complaints of waste, fraud and corruption in city government requires a factual review of city databases and records. Restricting such access undercuts the office’s independence, which was ratified by voters in 2018 and 2022.
White described the guardrails that guide confidential IG investigations, most notably the “Green Book” of standards and procedures issued by the Association of Inspectors General. Cumming is first vice president of the organization.
The judge appeared frustrated by the city’s responses during the three-hour hearing, at times uttering “wow” and at other times shaking her head.
“I don’t understand what you’re saying or why you’re saying it,” she told city attorney Renita L. Collins at one point.
Last night’s statement indicated that the city will continue to fight Judge White’s August 14 order to fulfill nearly 60 backed-up requests for records by the IG.
On Monday, the Appellate Court of Maryland denied the city’s request to stay, or delay, the lawsuit and the judge’s order.
Scott said the city will review White’s forthcoming written order and “explore all options at that time.”
Mayor’s Statement
“The Mayor has advocated for legislation that would improve the way Inspectors General access information, while building in safeguards to protect sensitive information and concerns about abuse of power. We will continue to push for that legislation. No official should be afraid of oversight, and no official, including the Inspector General, should be beyond it.”