Mayor Scott announces four-part package of reforms to Inspector General’s office

BALTIMORE, MD (WBFF) — Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott announced a four-part package of reforms to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) amid an ongoing dispute about oversight and transparency in the city government.

Scott announced four steps at a press conference on Wednesday, while also calling for several changes, including to State law, that would exempt the OIG from the Maryland Public Information Act requests (MPIA) for nearly all categories of information.

Additionally, Scott called for additional requirements to ensure adequate oversight of all the OIGs across the state.

Here are the four steps Scott outlined:

Step 1 – Creating immediate local legislation (city code)

Scott’s plan has this legislation being put into place this summer, and says it will take immediate steps at the local level to improve OIG workflow and establish a clearer process for document access under the current state law.

The plan said it will reaffirm the OIG’s position as part of the City of Baltimore legal entity, establish a new “audit-trail” system to outline the process for the OIG’s investigatory requests, and implementing MPIA-required redactions and document sharing protocols.

Furthermore, the plan calls to establish a “designated legal representative” position to ensure OIG compliance with the MPIA and represent the OIG during disputes about redactions or document accessibility. Scott’s plan said that this person would be selected by the City Solicitor, and approved by the OIG Advisory Board. However, once that person is established, they would be “firewalled” from the rest of the Law Department.

The final parts of the first step include requiring the OIG Advisory Board to conduct quarterly performance and status reviews of the OIG’s investigatory work, and outline a conflict resolution process about redactions or other MPIA-related issues.

Step 2 – Completing the MONSE investigation

The Mayor’s Office said it is calling for a renewed and independent examination of the MONSE SideStep program, with the goal being a thorough and neutral investigation.

A team from Baker Tilly, a global firm that provides forensic accounting and legal services, is in the process of being sought out for a forensic review.

This step is also aiming to be completed this summer, according to the Mayor’s plan.

Step 3 – Changes to state law

Scott said that during the next legislative session, in 2027, he will support changes to state law, including amendments exempting local inspectors general from the MPIA, and a new state law that provides oversight framework to standardize the work of inspectors general across local jurisdictions.

The plan calls for the establishment of a statewide oversight body that would govern the work of inspectors general across Maryland, and a specific code of conduct and professional responsibilities of inspectors general.

Scott’s plan also calls for a mandate that all jurisdictions with applicable positions establish a local oversight board, and that inspectors general, their staff, and similar officials attend an annual professional development training on data protection and the handing of sensitive protected information in their possession.

Step 4 – Charter amendment updating the OIG

The final step of the plan is contingent on the state law changing as described, and would not occur until between Summer 2027 and the November 2028 election.

Scott said that if state law changes as described, he would support further changes to the City’s Charter to improve the OIG and ensure the city’s oversight structure complies with state law.

That would include amending the local IG advisory board makeup, selection process, and oversight authority to comply with state law requirements.

The plan also calls to codify the OIG Advisory Board’s quarterly performance review of the OIG’s investigations, and to further outline the investigatory process to make sure it is clear and transparent. That would include a “request” system and audit trail.

Finally, Scott’s plan would amend the IG requirements for clarity and consistency with updated and state law.