Watchdog Praises Court Ruling on Baltimore Transparency

For Immediate Release 

Contact: Kara Zupkus (224) 456-0257

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) praised the Baltimore Circuit Court for rebuking Baltimore officials’ unlawful attempts to withhold information from the Baltimore City Office of the Inspector General (OIG). On September 16, Circuit Court Judge Pamela J. White ruled in favor of Inspector General (IG) Isabel Mercedes Cumming in her lawsuit against the Scott administration. White said she would order the city to restore the OIG’s direct access to city records and internal servers and comply with its outstanding subpoenas, subject to limited privilege claims that must be documented. During the more than three-hour hearing, White sharply criticized the city’s legal arguments and said she saw no reason to further delay the IG’s critical work.

David Williams, President of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, offered the following statement:

“Today is a great day for transparency and rule of law in Baltimore. The ruling rightly rejects the Scott administration’s addiction to secrecy and lays bare a troubling trend where city bureaucrats have worked overtime to thwart the IG. By ordering city leadership to restore the IG’s direct access to city servers and enforce outstanding subpoenas, the court made clear that accountability is non-negotiable.

“Without direct data access and subpoena compliance, IGs are effectively neutered, leaving taxpayer dollars vulnerable to waste, fraud, and abuse. Accountability is especially important at a time when Baltimore has a $64 million deficit, a figure that will only grow over time absent reform and transparency. Judge White’s sharp rebuke of the city’s meritless legal arguments sends an unmistakable message: elected officials cannot hide behind procedural red tape, flimsy claims about privilege and work product, or supposed delays to evade scrutiny.

“Baltimore residents are lucky to have such a strong and independent OIG. For years, TPA has highlighted IG Cumming as a true profile in courage. From taking on entrenched political corruption to fearlessly examining city contracts, she has consistently refused to bow to political pressure or intimidation. Standing up to city leaders attempting to cordon off internal records takes immense spine, and Cumming has once again proven that her loyalty lies with the taxpayers she was appointed to protect. TPA will continue to stand with her as she fights for a more accountable city government.”

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The 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 impact on the economy.