Baltimore City Councilwoman Paula Johnson Branch is resigning her seat effective March 3, nearly 10 months before her term expires at the end of the year.
Branch said she was retiring.
“After 25 years of service to the council, I am ready to pursue other opportunities,” Branch told The Examiner this morning.
Branch recently was embroiled in controversy after she gave contradictory testimony during the trial of her 2003 campaign treasurer, Momo Conte, who was indicted for theft after the councilwoman told a grand jury that Conte misappropriated money.
Under cross examination by Conte?s attorneys in November, Branch appeared to contradict her original testimony, and all charges against Conte were dropped. State prosecutors office declined to comment on whether the case remains under investigation.
Branch recently circulated a letter to community leaders in her district seeking support for her legislative aide, Vernon Crider, to replace her on the City Council. Crider has worked for Branch since 2004. Branch said she would be the honorary chairman of Crider?s campaign for her seat representing the city?s 13th District.
Branch?s departure leaves a second vacancy on the Council in less than two months. A special committee is set to convene on Wednesday to interview candidates for 6th District seat left vacated when Stephanie Rawlings-Blake became City Council president in January.
Elected to the city council in 1991, Branch served on the state Central Democratic Committee for the 45th legislative district for 12 years before she won the council seat.
