BALTIMORE (WBFF) — While Marvin James, a longtime aide to Mayor Brandon Scott, enters the private sector following a FOX45 News investigation, questions remain about the timing of James’ departure from City Hall and taxpayers paying for his travels.
Ten days after FOX45 News reported James, a special advisor in the mayor’s office, appeared to violate city policy by using a city-issued vehicle for personal activity and was seen at City Hall just twice in a three-week period, James joined a political consulting firm full time.
James was seen driving the city-issued vehicle to a salon in Columbia, to restaurants around the area, and to Washington, D.C., where he was seen appearing to work at a mayoral candidate’s campaign office.
As a special advisor, James earned $198,000 a year. Prior to that role, he served as Mayor Scott’s chief of staff, making more than $231,000 annually.
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In a statement, Mayor Scott claimed it was in April that James informed him about plans to exit City Hall. However, that raises more questions about why Mayor Scott and the rest of the city’s spending board approved a travel request from James to travel to New Orleans in mid-July for a conference during a June 17 Board of Estimates meeting.
Board of Estimates approving travel request
James joined Martin-Lauer Associated, LLC as an equity partner, and his last day at City Hall was July 1. In a statement announcing James’ new role, the firm’s president, Colleen Martin-Lauer, said the new job had been in the works for months.
“It doesn’t make sense, and it looks like that this plan for him to move to this consulting group has actually been in the works for a number of months, and there should not be any travel by Marvin James or anyone else that is leaving the administration,” said David Williams, president of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance. “Let’s be clear, James is very close to the mayor, worked on his campaign, was chief of staff, special advisor. So it’s not as if this is some random employee in the mayor’s office. This is someone who’s very close to the mayor.“
The trip to New Orleans isn’t the only time Baltimore taxpayers paid for James to jet-set with Mayor Scott.
In May, James attended the International Council of Shopping Centers Convention in Las Vegas, and before that, he attended a gathering of the African American Mayors Association in Washington, D.C. as a liaison for the mayor’s office.
The firm James joined is a well-known Democratic political consulting firm and fundraiser. In fact, several elected leaders inside City Hall have worked with Martin-Lauer.
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According to campaign finance records, Mayor Scott paid the firm more than $77,000 between the start of 2025 through the most recent filings.
Baltimore City Del. Caylin Young used the firm as well, records show. Del. Young’s brother, Calvin Young, is well-connected to the mayor. Calvin previously served as Mayor Scott’s chief of staff and is currently a deputy mayor.
Councilmembers John Bullock, Odette Ramos, and Paris Gray have also paid the same firm.
FOX45 News has repeatedly asked Mayor Scott’s office if there are other special advisors currently on the payroll, and if so, to explain their job descriptions and provide salary details. Those questions have gone unanswered.
Meanwhile, Williams said James’ exit from City Hall doesn’t close the book on this saga. Instead, he argued there are more unanswered questions about the city’s vehicle use policy, especially since the current policy prohibits the use for personal reasons.
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“This should be a wake-up call for the city council to really clamp down and make sure that city vehicles are being used for city business,” Williams said. “I mean, this gentleman was going to Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. is a lovely city, but it has nothing to do with Baltimore City and helping the citizens of Baltimore City.“
James is no stranger to controversy inside City Hall. An Office of Inspector General report previously found nearly $4,000 was spent on a farewell celebration for James when he left his chief of staff position. Expenses included a balloon arch, a custom cake, foam boards featuring James’ image, and thousands of dollars in catered food.
James never actually left city government. Instead, he remained on the public payroll as a senior advisor.
Public records obtained by FOX45 News also show James was listed as a guest in the mayor’s M&T Bank Stadium suite for at least 22 events since 2022.
Follow Political Reporter Mikenzie Frost on X and Facebook. Send tips to mbfrost@sbgtv.com.
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