Court Battles Loom Over MONSE Records in Baltimore

BALTIMORE — Two ongoing disputes concerning access to records from the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE) are likely to lead to court proceedings, as negotiations have stalled without resolution.

Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates and Inspector General Isabel Cumming have both accused the mayor’s office of unlawfully withholding important financial documents related to MONSE, which is responsible for the city’s violence prevention initiatives. The administration, however, asserts that certain records are legally protected from public disclosure.

Bates emphasized the importance of transparency, stating, “This is about making sure that we protect individuals’ constitutional rights.” He indicated that his office has made multiple requests for information regarding defendants involved in MONSE programs but has not received adequate documentation. This lack of access, he argues, hampers the ability of prosecutors to respond to inquiries from public defenders, raising concerns about due process.

With both Bates and the Mayor's office presenting conflicting legal opinions, Bates has expressed that the situation is likely to require judicial intervention. He noted that if his office cannot provide satisfactory answers, the Public Defender's Office may resort to filing subpoenas, potentially bringing the matter before a judge.

Simultaneously, Inspector General Cumming has reported facing similar challenges in her investigations. She highlighted issues with heavily redacted documents received from MONSE, which she claims hinder her ability to conduct thorough inquiries into potential waste, fraud, and abuse within the city government.

For the first time in her tenure, Cumming stated that the city has begun denying her local subpoena authority, citing state information sharing laws that protect confidential records. During a recent advisory board meeting, she warned that these restrictions could impede her office’s effectiveness and requested permission to seek external legal counsel, a step that may also lead to litigation.

As both the State’s Attorney and the Inspector General prepare for possible court action, the outcomes could establish important precedents regarding the extent of oversight and transparency required of city agencies.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WBFF (source).