Baltimore Inspector General's Access to Records Under Scrutiny

BALTIMORE — The Baltimore City Council is currently engaged in discussions about the access of the city’s inspector general to records that were previously available for investigative purposes. This debate follows a recent change in policy that has raised questions about its implications.

Earlier this year, Inspector General Isabel Cumming encountered significant obstacles while investigating the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE). She received heavily redacted documents and faced ignored subpoenas, prompting her to file a lawsuit against City Hall for access to necessary records. This legal battle is ongoing and centers around a youth diversion program known as SideStep.

The administration of Mayor Brandon Scott has adopted a new interpretation of the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), which has restricted the information shared with the Office of Inspector General (OIG). This shift was influenced by an advice letter from the Office of Attorney General, requested by a state senator in relation to a different MPIA bill.

While the Office of Attorney General (OAG) has denied a public records request from FOX45 News seeking details about the advice letter due to attorney-client privilege, Attorney General Anthony Brown has clarified that the letter was merely advisory and does not constitute an official opinion on the inspector general’s operational authority.

City Councilman Mark Conway has proposed a charter amendment aimed at restoring the OIG’s access to records and has urged his colleagues to support the measure. During a recent hearing, Cumming emphasized that the current situation is not due to any new legislation or official opinion from the attorney general.

Despite some council members expressing support for the inspector general’s role in combating government waste, fraud, and abuse, Conway’s proposal has faced obstacles and legal challenges. The chances of the amendment being approved in time for this year’s ballot appear slim.

Conway expressed frustration with the Law Department’s current approach, questioning the rationale behind limiting the inspector general's access to records necessary for oversight.

In addition to the situation in Baltimore, similar MPIA restrictions are affecting inspectors general in other jurisdictions. In Annapolis, legislation proposed during the 2026 session to exempt inspectors general from these restrictions failed to progress.

Megan Davey Limarzi, the inspector general in Montgomery County, has stated her intention to pursue legislative solutions that will enable her office to operate effectively, despite the recent setback.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WBFF (source).