Questions remain one week after FOX45 investigation into Mayor Brandon Scott advisor

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — One week after a FOX45 News investigation raised questions about Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s senior advisor Marvin James and his apparent use of a city-issued vehicle for personal activity, City Hall has yet to provide answers about James’ employment status, responsibilities or whether any disciplinary action is being taken.

FOX45 News documented James reporting to Baltimore City Hall only twice during a three-week period while also observing him driving a city-issued vehicle to multiple locations that appeared unrelated to city business, including a Washington, D.C., political campaign office, restaurants and a salon.

When FOX45 News first presented the findings to Mayor Scott, he said his administration would investigate.

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“We can’t just take your word for something,” Scott said. “We will investigate anything and we’ll take appropriate action when necessary.”

Days later, FOX45 News again asked Scott whether there were any updates on that investigation.

“Mikenzie, stop chasing me,” the mayor replied before walking away without answering additional questions.

FOX45 News has also repeatedly asked whether James remains employed by the city. The mayor’s office has not responded. As a special advisor, James earns approximately $198,000 annually.

Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen acknowledged questions surrounding James’ role but said he wants the mayor’s administration to complete its review before drawing conclusions.

“There does seem to need to be some clarification around the special adviser, what that role is,” Cohen said. “I do want to let the mayor’s team do their investigation and come up with the outcome as they are investigating their own employee.”

When asked whether James should remain on the city payroll, Cohen said accountability is essential but stopped short of calling for disciplinary action.

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“I think it is really important that anyone who works here, works here,” Cohen said. “I do not have enough information at this point to know how much Mr. James, or frankly, many other folks in the mayor’s office, are at City Hall. What I do know is it is incredibly important for the culture of city government that everybody is accountable.”

Cohen said if the administration fails to conduct a meaningful investigation, the City Council could become involved.

“If there is no real investigation, then other actors, including the council, may take action,” he said.

FOX45 News also asked every other member of the Baltimore City Council whether James’ apparent activity represented an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars, whether an investigation should occur, what oversight the council can provide and whether James should remain employed.

Councilman Mark Conway declined to comment. The remaining council members did not respond.

In addition to asking about James, FOX45 News also asked Mayor Scott’s Office about other special advisors working in the mayor’s office, their salaries, and job descriptions. Those questions have also gone unanswered.

David Williams, president of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, said the city’s lack of transparency is concerning.

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“It’s frustrating when you see such a simple issue, a simple concern not being addressed by the mayor or the city council,” Williams said.

Williams argued that determining whether a city employee is performing taxpayer-funded work should not be complicated.

“These are taxpayer resources that are being used,” he said. “There’s nothing complicated about this.”

He also warned that as the mayor’s office continues to grow, taxpayers deserve greater transparency.

“As the mayor’s office expands and the payroll for the mayor’s office expands, this could become a bigger and bigger problem within the city,” Williams said. “That’s why taxpayers need to know immediately what this person, and potentially other people, are doing on the taxpayer’s time.”

Williams said the issue extends beyond one employee.

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“That’s why there needs to be a full accounting of everyone that’s on the mayor’s payroll as to what they are doing, when they are doing it and how much it’s costing taxpayers,” he said.

FOX45 News will continue following the story and provide updates as more information becomes available about how taxpayer money is being spent inside Baltimore City Hall.

Follow Political Reporter Mikenzie Frost on X and Facebook. Send tips to mbfrost@sbgtv.com.