Federal agents raided Baltimore City Hall and the home of Mayor Catherine Pugh Thursday as the criminal investigation into her financial dealings ramps up.
Pugh, a 69-year-old Democrat, is being investigated for using her political connections to make hundreds of thousands of dollars from sales of her self-published Healthy Holly children’s book series. She was reportedly paid $500,000 for 20,000 copies of the books from the University of Maryland Medical Center in a no-bid deal, all while serving on UMMC’s board. She has since resigned from the board and taken a leave of absence from the mayor’s office.
The raids by FBI and Internal Revenue Service officials targeted two of Pugh’s residences, Baltimore City Hall, the office of Pugh’s attorney, the office of Pugh’s aide, and the Maryland Center for Adult Training.
FBI and IRS agents come out @MayorPugh50 house on Ellamont RD. carrying arm loads of boxes. Several agents leave the scene after packing the vehicles with potential evidence. @wbaltv11 pic.twitter.com/6ZANLfn6kD
— Jennifer Franciotti (@wbaljfro) April 25, 2019
More pics from FBI raid on City Hall pic.twitter.com/GigEhanBaA
— Peter Hermann (@phscoop) April 25, 2019
After the raids, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan called on Pugh to resign. He has directed the state prosecutor to launch an investigation into Pugh’s financial dealings.
“Now more than ever, Baltimore City needs strong and responsible leadership. Mayor Pugh has lost the public trust. She is clearly not fit to lead. For the good of the city, Mayor Pugh must resign,” he tweeted.
[Read more: Larry Hogan edges toward 2020 challenge to Trump: ‘I’m taking it more seriously’]
Now more than ever, Baltimore City needs strong and responsible leadership. Mayor Pugh has lost the public trust. She is clearly not fit to lead. For the good of the city, Mayor Pugh must resign.
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) April 25, 2019
Lester Davis, the spokesman for acting Mayor Bernard Young, said Young was not aware that the raids were going to happen in advance.
In a statement earlier this month, Pugh’s office said the mayor was taking an “indefinite leave of absence” due to issues with her health, but did not mention the political scandal.
