Mayor Scott Stands Firm on MONSE Records Withholding Amid Legal Challenges

BALTIMORE — Mayor Brandon Scott is reaffirming his administration's stance on withholding documents related to the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE), stating that the action is necessary for legal compliance rather than an attempt to shield the office from scrutiny.

This decision has led to a legal confrontation with Baltimore City Inspector General Isabel Cumming and State’s Attorney Ivan Bates, who contend that the city is unlawfully withholding essential records.

During a Thursday morning interview on WBAL radio, Scott explained that the city has recently recognized it has been sharing too much confidential information and is now implementing stricter access controls across all city departments.

“This is not just about this particular case,” Scott asserted. “We have to follow all the laws of the state of Maryland, period.”

However, critics have pointed out that the timing of this policy change coincided with Cumming and Bates’ requests for MONSE records, raising suspicions about the mayor's motives. When questioned about whether he was protecting MONSE or concealing information, Scott firmly denied the allegations.

To bolster his position, Scott referenced a recent advisory letter from an Assistant Attorney General, which was requested by a state senator regarding a similar public records matter. He claimed this guidance prompted the city to tighten record access, not just for MONSE.

Despite the mayor's defense, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown clarified that the letter cited does not constitute a formal legal opinion, describing it instead as a general analysis of the Maryland Public Information Act.

As the dispute escalates, both Cumming and Bates are preparing to take their case to court. Although legislative changes could potentially resolve the matter outside of the courtroom, Scott indicated he does not support such changes, stating, “We will still give information where appropriate, but changing that kind of Maryland state law would be something that I’ll leave up to the General Assembly.”

Reported by HarborBeat based on WBFF (source).