Ferguson targets Baltimore watchdog as oversight fight intensifies

BALTIMORE, Md. (WBFF) — A controversial social media post from Baltimore’s Inspector General has sparked a political firestorm, drawing sharp criticism from one of Maryland’s top lawmakers.

Baltimore City Inspector General Isabel Cumming is facing backlash after sharing, and later deleting, a post on X that included an AI-generated image depicting Mayor Brandon Scott surrounded by cash and luxury items.

Cumming issued a public apology, stating she did not notice the image when sharing the post, does not endorse it, and removed it once she became aware. In her statement, she directly apologized to the mayor.

Still, the fallout continues.

Responding to her post on X, Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson criticized the apology, calling it insufficient and warning that the incident “undermines public trust and the work of an oversight office overall.” He added that the situation highlights the need for a “thoughtful, purposeful framework for accessing data in the public sector.”

“I think he’s piling on in a lot of ways, and I think he’s doing it for political reasons,” said political analyst John Dedie.

Dedie notes the dispute comes as a larger battle is underway between Scott and Cumming regarding the Inspector General’s ability to weed out waste, fraud, and abuse.

“Bill Ferguson is tightly aligned with Brandon Scott and he’s also up for reelection, and needs Scott’s support, especially in that district,” says Dedie.

Earlier this year, Cumming filed a lawsuit against the city after her access to certain financial records was abruptly cut off. A judge recently ruled to allow the case to move forward.

“Basically, [the judge] was very critical of the city’s position,” said Dedie.

Meanwhile, in Annapolis, legislation that would have clarified what records Inspectors General across the state should have access to, ultimately, stalled this session. According to Dedie, lawmakers and elected officials would be wise to remember the fight over accountability cuts both ways.

“To me, it says that lawmakers are all for Inspectors General until they’re inspecting them,” he said, “Bill Ferguson, when he’s speaking about public trust, he is forgetting that public trust includes elected officials, and Brandon Scott is one of those.”