By Glenn Kaplan
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh should resign in the wake of allegations that she sold thousands of her self-published “Healthy Holly” books to the University of Maryland Medical System while she was a member of the system’s board, several political science professors who were interviewed over the past few weeks said.
“Her continued presence shows we tolerate corruption,” said Paul McCartney, an associate professor of political science at Towson University. “It’s beyond a bad look.”
Towson Professor Richard E. Vatz, an expert on Maryland politics, said that if Pugh does not leave on her own accord, she will likely be forced out of office. He said Pugh may not care that the City Council sent her a letter asking for her resignation, adding that she may not go unless she gets some assurances from authorities before she steps down.
“I think she will not voluntarily leave office unless perhaps if she is guaranteed no jail time and guaranteed that she can keep her wages and pension,” Vatz said.
McCartney also thinks that the City Council calling for her resignation isn’t a good look for the city.
“It is the last thing we need,” he said. “It reinforces all of the worst impression outsiders have of Baltimore.”
The interviews with local political science professors occurred after Pugh announced on April 1 that she was taking a leave of absence for medical reasons following a Baltimore Sun report that Pugh was paid $500,000 by the medical system for 100,000 books. The sale was made under a no-bid arrangement and came while Pugh was a member of the medical system’s board. Media reports indicate that other companies paying contracts with the medical system also purchased copies of Pugh’s book.
The interviews were conducted before Pugh’s residences and other organizations were raided by federal agents this week.
McCartney said one way or another, the Baltimore City Council will find a way to push her out.
“Her stated desire to stay does not mean she will serve out her term,” he said. “She is clearly motivated by money, so this could just be a first step in negotiation an exit for her.”
Donn Worgs, a political science professor at Towson, said the city will face issues with Pugh being absent.
“You don’t have a full-time mayor at this stage,” he said.
City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young has been serving as acting mayor while Pugh is on leave. The Baltimore Sun has reported that the City Charter does not have a mechanism for removing a city mayor unless he or she is convicted of a crime.
Towson Assistant Political Science Professor Aminita Sillah said the Pugh scandal is the last thing the city needs right now.
“Imageability is everything,” she said. “It’s how people ‘see’ Baltimore. The corruption allegations from a city dealing with urban decay, disinvestments, high murder rates and high taxes — all of which continue to push people out of the city and erode the tax base — is concerning. We hear the saying, in ‘democracies, we get leaders we deserve.’ Baltimore deserves public servants who will rally on their behalf.”
Pugh was elected mayor in 2016. She is 69.
“I would be surprised if she doesn’t resign at this point,” Worgs said.
Vatz agreed.
“Her ethics are so compromised that no one in the city can argue believably that she is even minimally trustworthy,” he said. “The city’s residents, by and large, tolerate lawbreaking. Witness the enduring support of the eminently dishonest Sheila Dixon, who took applications for city work and adjudicated them by giving contracts to her friends and lovers.”
If Pugh resigns anytime soon, Young would then become the interim mayor until the next mayoral election in 2020.
“It will be interesting to see how the mayor will work with a council that called for resignation,” Sillah said. “This is a council that hardly agrees on any substantial issue calling for her to resign.”