Baltimore Mayor Questions Legality of Expanding Inspector General Powers

Councilman proposes making IG a co-custodian of city records, but Mayor Scott says it may violate state law.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 6:40pm

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A realistic painting of the Baltimore City Hall building in a warm, cinematic style, with the structure bathed in diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation about the role of government oversight.The historic Baltimore City Hall stands as a symbol of the city's ongoing political debates over transparency and accountability.Baltimore Today

Baltimore Councilman Mark Conway has proposed a charter amendment to make the city's Inspector General, Isabel Cumming, a co-custodian of agency records. This follows questions over a now-closed MONSE program and claims that the mayor's office has not turned over key information. However, Mayor Brandon Scott has addressed the amendment and ongoing issues with the Inspector General, stating that he believes the bill 'doesn't meet...legal consistency' and that the city cannot 'violate state law or supersede the state charter'.

Why it matters

The dispute over the Inspector General's powers highlights the ongoing tension between the mayor's office and the city council over transparency and oversight. Mayor Scott wants the IG to be politically independent, but legally dependent on the city, while the council appears to be pushing for greater authority for the IG. This could have significant implications for how the city government operates and is held accountable.

The details

Councilman Conway's proposed charter amendment would make the Inspector General, Isabel Cumming, a co-custodian of agency records in Baltimore. This follows questions over a now-closed MONSE program and claims that the mayor's office has not turned over key information related to it. However, Mayor Scott has pushed back, stating that he believes the bill 'doesn't meet...legal consistency' and that the city cannot 'violate state law or supersede the state charter'. Scott emphasized the difference between political independence and legal independence for the IG, and said he has had conversations with state lawmakers in Annapolis about potential legislation to improve oversight.

  • Councilman Conway proposed the charter amendment this week.
  • Mayor Scott addressed the amendment and ongoing IG issues on the C4 and Bryan Nehman Show.

The players

Mark Conway

A Baltimore City Councilman who proposed the charter amendment to make the Inspector General a co-custodian of agency records.

Brandon Scott

The Mayor of Baltimore, who has questioned the legality of Councilman Conway's proposal and emphasized the need for the Inspector General to be politically independent but legally dependent on the city.

Isabel Cumming

The current Inspector General for the City of Baltimore.

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What they’re saying

“The bill doesn't meet...I don't think it's going to meet legal consistency. We can't violate state law or supersede the state charter. We understand what the Councilman is doing, we also understand that he might not understand the complexities of the issues.”

— Brandon Scott, Mayor of Baltimore

“Oversight to govern the changes or whatever occur to prevent things that could happen in the future that has to be set up around complete oversight and understanding so everyone knows how they're supposed to move.”

— Brandon Scott, Mayor of Baltimore

What’s next

Mayor Scott said he has had conversations with state lawmakers in Annapolis about potential legislation to improve oversight and transparency in Baltimore's city government.

The takeaway

The dispute over the Inspector General's powers highlights the ongoing tension between the mayor's office and the city council over transparency and accountability in Baltimore's government. While both sides agree on the need for strong oversight, they differ on the appropriate balance between political independence and legal dependence for the IG's office.