BALTIMORE (WBFF) — A fight over access to city records is intensifying at Baltimore City Hall as Inspector General Isabel Cumming pushes for broader authority to obtain documents, which she says, are needed to investigate waste, fraud and abuse.
Cumming’s advisory board met virtually Monday night as the City Council considers legislation that would make her a co-custodian of records. The meeting also came as Cumming’s office continues a legal battle with the city over access to documents and systems the inspector general says are necessary to do her job.
During the meeting, Cumming addressed a recent controversy involving a social media post. She told the board she regretted unknowingly posting an AI-generated photo of the mayor online.
“It was then I realized the video link had a play button with a generated thumbnail,” Cumming said. “Promoting political satire is never my intent and I deleted a post a few hours later.” She added, “I apologize to the mayor for my mistake,” and said, “I would like to emphasize my intent was to share the video highlighting the hurdles of my agency.”
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Cumming then described ongoing issues she says have hampered her office’s ability to investigate allegations of fraud involving the mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement. Earlier this year, the city began redacting documents and blocking her access to critical city records, according to information discussed in the meeting.
“The office of IG has been denied access to Workday which we had direct access for 17 years,” Cumming said.
Cumming also raised concerns about whistleblower protections and data security, saying, “This city has a history of interference with whistle blowers.” said Cumming. “At this time the OIG cannot protect the anonymity for anyone because the office can’t maintain the anonymity of the servers.” She added, “I do not know who is accessing the records and I cannot protect the public.”
A judge recently ruled that Cumming’s lawsuit demanding access to city documents can move forward. The advisory board previously agreed to allow Cumming to sue the city last year, a decision that escalated a dispute with the mayor.
Taxpayer advocate David Williams criticized the city’s actions and urged restoration of access for the inspector general’s office.
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“This is a tug of war between the mayor and transparency and the ability to save millions of dollars in Baltimore City,” Williams said. “If the mayor expects them to do their job they need investigative power and they don’t have that. They’re becoming impotent and the mayor needs to restore that access and restore the information.”
“The mayor is hiding something….” insisted Williams. “It seems the mayor is protecting one project but in reality he’s destroying the underpinnings of a transparent inspector general.”
Cumming pointed to voter support for expanding the office’s role. “The public has voted not once, not twice, but three times giving this office more responsibilities each and every time,” she said. “My team and I are motivated to fight for the citizens right for transparency.”
On Wednesday, supporters are expected to gather at City Hall at 1pm as City Council members decide whether to approve placing on the November ballot a measure intended to ensure broad access for the inspector general.
“Overwhelmingly people want a strong inspector general. Wednesday is the ideal time to show the inspector general that there is support,” said Williams.
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