Watchdog Praises Baltimore Vote for Independent IG Oversight

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                                                                                        Contact: Abigail Graham (202) 417-7235

November 9, 2022

Washington, D.C. –  Today, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) applauded Baltimore City residents for voting for an independent Office of Inspector General (OIG) advisory board. Currently, city politicians’ designees serve on the board and effectively limit IG Isabel Cumming’s attempts to hold officials accountable. IG Cumming has noted that, under the status-quo, there’s an “inherent conflict of interest” and board composition “could hinder the OIG from doing its job with the specter of improper political pressure.” Under the new reforms, board membership will comprise of randomly chosen City Council nominees, accountants, fraud examiners, and legal scholars.

TPA President, David Williams, heralded the historic change:

“For too long, Baltimore has been completely devoid of accountability. Mayors and other elected officials have perpetuated fraud while hobbling IGs’ efforts to investigate their activities. The Pugh’s and Mosby’s of the world deserve justice, but watchdogs cannot restore the rule of law with politicians breathing down their necks. And, most alarmingly, the advisory board chooses the next IG which could further weaken the effectiveness of the office. The status-quo allows politicians to fend off investigation by selecting an IG they know will go easy on them. Fortunately, that sorry state of affairs will soon end and the residents of Baltimore City will be able to hold their officials accountable.

“Since being selected for the job in 2018, IG Cumming has delivered for the people of Baltimore. She made clear from the get-go that ‘nobody is off-limits.’ And she promptly proved that point by investigating convicted former Mayor Pugh’s cozy financial ties to the University of Maryland Medical System. The IG was also crucial in investigating State’s Attorney Mosby’s unscrupulous travel activities and financial arrangements. Thanks to Baltimore City residents’ vote for an independent advisory board, these investigations can continue, and public officials will get the scrutiny they deserve.”

Williams concluded: “Baltimore has a long way to go to restore the rule of law and rid itself of corruption. Last night was a large leap in the right direction.”

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Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to educating the public through the research, analysis and dissemination of information on the government’s effects on the economy.