Raids signal ‘something bigger’ in Baltimore mayor probe: expert
Catherine PughAP
The raid by federal agents on the home of embattled Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh could signal she’s facing “something bigger” than the scandal over her shady dealings with a kids book series she authored, a lawyer who defended another Charm City pol said.
The Democrat was already under investigation by the state prosecutor’s office for securing a lucrative book sales deal with the University of Maryland Medical System. The no-contract arrangement for the “Healthy Holly” series netted Pugh more than $500,000 while she sat on the institution’s board, officials said.
The FBI and IRS descended on seven locationsassociated with Pugh on Thursday morning, including her home, where they hauled out boxes of the books and documents, the Baltimore Sun reported.
“The books might just be a shiny object. My guess is there’s something bigger,” said Arnold W. Weiner, a lawyer who defended a previous mayor, Sheila Dixon, against misconduct charges in office, the outlet reported.
The raid was the first indication that Pugh was being probed by the feds. Experts said the agencies are likely looking for potential tax violations, such as whether she reported her income from the book series.
“When money is involved, there is potential for tax crimes. And they’re easier to prove,” David Jaros, a University of Baltimore Law School professor, told the Baltimore Sun.
Pugh, 69, has been on an indefinite leave of absence from office — citing her health — since the state probe was launched earlier this month.
As the raids got underway, Gov. Larry Hogan called for the mayor to resign.
“Mayor Pugh has lost the public trust,” the Republican governor tweeted. “She is clearly not fit to lead. For the good of the city, Mayor Pugh must resign.”
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