Mayor Scott Unveils Reforms for Inspector General's Office

BALTIMORE — Mayor Brandon Scott has introduced a four-part reform initiative aimed at improving the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) amid ongoing concerns regarding transparency and oversight within the Baltimore city government.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Scott outlined his plan, which includes changes to state law that would exempt the OIG from most Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) requests.

Key Components of the Reform Plan

• Step 1: Local Legislation - The Mayor plans to implement immediate local legislation this summer to enhance OIG workflows and clarify document access under current state law. This includes establishing an audit trail for investigatory requests and appointing a designated legal representative to navigate MPIA compliance.
• Step 2: Investigation of MONSE - Scott's office is seeking an independent review of the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE) SideStep program, with a forensic team from Baker Tilly expected to conduct the examination this summer.
• Step 3: State Law Amendments - In the 2027 legislative session, Scott intends to advocate for state law amendments that would standardize the work of inspectors general across Maryland and establish a statewide oversight body.
• Step 4: Charter Amendment - Pending changes to state law, Scott supports amending the City Charter to enhance the OIG's structure and oversight authority, which is anticipated to occur between Summer 2027 and November 2028.

Scott's proposal also includes requirements for local oversight boards and annual training for inspectors general on data protection and handling sensitive information.

Isabel Cumming, Baltimore's Inspector General, has not commented on the Mayor's announcement. Tensions between Cumming and Scott have escalated, particularly regarding access to documents and ongoing investigations. Cumming has previously filed a lawsuit against City Hall over these access issues.

Baltimore City Councilman Mark Conway expressed concerns that the reforms may undermine the independence of the OIG, suggesting that the proposed measures could place the office under the control of the Mayor's legal team.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WBFF (source).