Baltimore City Inspector General Sues Over Access to Records

Lawsuit alleges mayor's office deliberately withheld subpoenaed records

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Baltimore City Inspector General Isabel Cumming has filed a 43-page lawsuit against the city, alleging that the mayor's office deliberately withheld records she had subpoenaed on the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement. The mayor's office argued the information was private and could be withheld, but Cumming contends the city's actions have hampered her office's efforts to investigate city spending.

Why it matters

The dispute over record access highlights tensions between the inspector general's oversight role and the mayor's office's desire to limit transparency. As the city's top watchdog, the inspector general plays a crucial part in ensuring accountability in government spending and operations.

The details

Cumming's lawsuit alleges that the mayor's office refused to provide records she had subpoenaed related to the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement. The mayor's office argued the information was private and could be withheld, citing a legal opinion from the state attorney general. However, Cumming contends the city's actions have hindered her office's ability to effectively investigate city spending.

  • Cumming filed the 43-page lawsuit in Baltimore City Circuit Court on February 25, 2026.

The players

Isabel Cumming

The Baltimore City Inspector General who filed the lawsuit against the city over access to records.

Brandon Scott

The mayor of Baltimore who defended limiting the inspector general's access to city records.

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What’s next

The case will now proceed through the Baltimore City Circuit Court, where a judge will determine whether the city must provide the requested records to the inspector general.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing tension between government transparency and the desire to limit access to certain information. As the city's top watchdog, the inspector general plays a crucial role in ensuring accountability, and this lawsuit will test the boundaries of their investigative powers.