Baltimore Mayor's Office Violated Purchasing Card Policies, Report Finds

Inspector General investigation uncovers over $160,000 in questionable spending, including on food and catering at sports games

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A new report from the Baltimore City Inspector General found that the mayor's office repeatedly violated policies related to city purchasing cards, known as "p-cards." The investigation uncovered over $160,000 in questionable spending, including more than $50,000 on food and beverages during Baltimore Ravens and Orioles games. The mayor's office acknowledged the violations but said the purchases were made in good faith.

Why it matters

The findings raise concerns about the mayor's office's oversight and accountability in managing taxpayer funds. The report comes as the Inspector General's office is also engaged in a legal battle with the city over access to documents and the power to issue subpoenas, which the Inspector General says is essential to her ability to effectively monitor government spending.

The details

The Inspector General's investigation found that from July 2022 to November 2025, the mayor's office did not submit required waivers for more than 300 transactions totaling over $160,000. More than half of those purchases were for food or catering. The report also found the mayor's office spent over $50,000 in taxpayer money on food and beverages during Baltimore Ravens and Orioles games, with witnesses claiming this has been a practice of prior mayoral administrations.

  • The Inspector General's investigation covered the period from July 2022 to November 2025.
  • Earlier this week, the Baltimore Inspector General's Office filed a lawsuit against the city over access to information and the power to issue and enforce subpoenas.

The players

Baltimore City Inspector General

The independent office responsible for monitoring and investigating the use of city funds and resources.

Baltimore Mayor's Office

The office of the mayor of Baltimore, which the Inspector General's report found repeatedly violated purchasing card policies.

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What they’re saying

“The mayor's office responded, saying the inspector general found "no deliberate misuse of p-cards" and members of the mayor's office who made the purchases were acting in good faith while doing their jobs.”

— Baltimore Mayor's Office (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The lawsuit filed by the Baltimore Inspector General's Office is an attempt to stop the city from interfering with the office's investigations and to ensure it has the necessary access to information and subpoena power to effectively monitor government spending.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of strong oversight and accountability in the management of taxpayer funds, as well as the challenges that independent government watchdogs can face in carrying out their duties. The findings raise questions about the mayor's office's spending practices and the need for greater transparency and controls over the use of purchasing cards.