Baltimore Inspector General Cites Concerns in Former Youth Diversion Program

Report details data tracking gaps, billing issues in SideStep program run by Mayor's Office

Mar. 17, 2026 at 7:43pm

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Baltimore City's inspector general has released a new report on the SideStep youth diversion program, which was run through the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement. The report cites major gaps in case management and data tracking, as well as allegations of altered or unverifiable invoices. The investigation has been at the center of a dispute over access to documents between the OIG and the mayor's office.

Why it matters

The findings raise questions about oversight and accountability in a program aimed at providing services and support for at-risk youth in Baltimore. The report also highlights ongoing tensions between the inspector general's office and the mayor's administration over transparency and access to information.

The details

The inspector general's report alleges multiple invoices were either altered or contain unverifiable information. It also found a serious privacy breach in which a MONSE employee emailed a spreadsheet containing more than 701 names — many of them being names of juveniles — to a personal Gmail account. MONSE Director Stefanie Mavronis says SideStep ended in 2024 and controls have since been strengthened, but argues the OIG report lacks enough detail to fully respond to the claims.

  • The inspector general's report was released on March 17, 2026.

The players

Isabel Cumming

Baltimore City's inspector general who released the report on the SideStep youth diversion program.

Stefanie Mavronis

Director of the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE), which ran the SideStep program.

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What they’re saying

“MONSE is 'deeply concerned,' but argues the report lacks enough detail to fully address the claims.”

— MONSE

“The agency adds it's working to recoup money tied to one case found in an ongoing audit.”

— MONSE

The takeaway

The inspector general's report highlights ongoing challenges with oversight and accountability in youth diversion programs, as well as the need for stronger data management and billing practices to ensure proper use of public funds.