A federal judge sentenced former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh to three years in prison after she pleaded guilty to multiple charges connected to sales of her children’s book Healthy Holly.
Pugh, a 69-year-old Democrat, sold copies of her self-published book to nonprofit organizations in Baltimore for years in an attempt to promote her political career and rake in cash to fund her campaigns. One sale included a no-bid deal with the University of Maryland Medical System for the purchase of 100,000 copies of the book while Pugh served on the system’s board.
The former mayor brought in $800,000 from her book scheme before she was caught. The FBI raided her home on April 25, 2019, in connection to the no-bid book deal, prompting Pugh to resign from her post as mayor the following month. She pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and tax evasion one day after she was indicted.
On Thursday, Judge Deborah Chasanow sentenced Pugh to three years in prison and three years probation for her crimes. The judge also ordered her to pay $412,000 in restitution and forfeit almost $670,000 worth of property. Chasanow argued that Pugh’s crimes were not small judgment errors, claiming that her behavior left a “drastic” and “very tragic” effect on the city.
“This became a very large fraud,” she added.
The former mayor did not speak during her sentencing, but she acknowledged her wrongdoing in a prerecorded clip, saying, “While I have done some good things, they will forever be overshadowed by the wrongs I’ve done.”
Pugh’s 12-minute video included details about her upbringing and a final apology to the court and the city of Baltimore. She said, “I know better who I am, but I also know where I am, and I accept responsibility, I accept total responsibility. I plead guilty. I’m sorry. I don’t know any other words that could be stronger. I’m so sorry. I really am sorry.”
