The deans of the University of Baltimore School of Law and the University of Maryland School of Law have stepped down from their roles on the oversight board for the city's Inspector General, Isabel Mercedes Cumming. Their resignations come during an ongoing legal conflict between Cumming and Mayor Brandon Scott regarding the authority of her office.
LaVonda Reed and Renée Laurent informed city officials earlier this month of their decision to leave the 11-member board, which was established to oversee the inspector general's efforts to combat waste, fraud, and abuse within the city government. In a letter addressed to Mayor Scott and City Council President Zeke Cohen, the deans expressed their belief that their legal academic expertise was no longer needed and acknowledged their inability to dedicate sufficient time to the board due to other commitments.
In their resignation letter, dated June 17 and sent on July 2, the deans noted, "In light of this, we have determined not only to tender our own resignations, but also not to appoint designated representatives from our respective institutions." The deans had been part of the board since its inception in 2018, which was created to ensure the inspector general operates independently from the mayor's office.
Gayle Guilford, the board's chair, expressed gratitude for the deans' service, stating that their departure would not hinder the board's ability to fulfill its responsibilities. The board has been drawn into a legal dispute following the Scott administration's decision to limit Cumming's access to city legal records, a move the mayor's office argues was necessary to protect attorney-client privileges.
Cumming has since filed a lawsuit against the Scott administration, seeking to compel compliance with subpoenas. A court decision on the matter is pending, with a judge previously expressing concerns about the administration's stance.
Both Reed and Laurent abstained from voting during a board meeting in February when Cumming sought approval to file the lawsuit against the administration, indicating their discomfort with the ongoing situation. Cumming, an alumna of the University of Baltimore's law school, acknowledged the deans' decision and emphasized that the board will continue its work with the remaining members.
Scott's office has not commented on the developments.
Reported by HarborBeat based on The Baltimore Banner (source).
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