Survey shows Baltimore inspector general’s denial of information is highly unusual

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Months after the mayor denied Baltimore’s inspector general access to key government records, inspector general Isabel Cumming says her ability to investigate potential wrongdoing inside city government has been severely limited.

Access was denied after Cumming began probing potential fraud at a city-run youth diversion program. The restriction has also constrained the inspector general’s broader work to identify waste, fraud and abuse across city government.

“This is information that could potentially uncover millions of dollars of waste fraud and abuse,” David Williams, President of Taxpayers Protection Alliance, said.

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The mayor has insisted he is following the state’s public information laws, but the move appears to be highly unusual compared with other inspector general offices nationwide.

A recent study released by the Association of Inspectors General compared information access at 46 other IG offices across the country. More than 90% of those offices had access to government policies and procedures, email correspondence, personnel records and financial records. In Baltimore, access to government email, personnel records and financial records has either been denied or limited.

“I think the public will look at this and say ‘what do you have to hide?’ Well an innocent man has nothing to hide,” political analyst John Dedie said.

Politicians have failed to pass legislation that would restore the inspector general’s access to public records, despite calls from constituents.

Cumming is now suing the city and is scheduled to return to court next month, seeking a judge’s order restoring access to government records.

“This office was set up for good government. And good government needs oversight. It needs transparency,” Cumming said.