Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is embroiled in a dispute with Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming after a report revealed City Hall spent $50,000 on snacks including crab cakes and Old Bay wings at sports events. The spending was part of $167,000 in unchecked expenses over three years, according to the inspector general's report.
The feud began in January when Cumming investigated a youth diversion programme but received heavily redacted invoices. After issuing a subpoena for unredacted documents, she was ignored. The city later imposed new confidentiality rules on her office, which Cumming called 'an attempt to stop transparency.'
The mayor's office defended the spending, stating it routinely entertains 'everyday Baltimoreans' and city workers. However, the report highlighted expenses on birthday celebrations, baby showers, and daily fresh fruit trays for senior staff.
Tensions escalated in April when Cumming shared a Facebook video featuring an AI-generated image of Scott smoking a cigar amid stacks of cash. Scott expressed disappointment, noting he neither drinks nor smokes, and suggested racial undertones. His chief of staff filed an ethics complaint.
The city council considered restoring Cumming's access to records, but the proposal stalled after the city argued it circumvented the state Public Information Act. The controversy comes amid a cost-of-living crisis, drawing criticism from residents struggling with bills.
