Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh resigned from office today in the midst of a scandal over her self-published children’s book. The following are stories from various media outlets.
Washington Post
Mayor Catherine E. Pugh, who is under state and federal investigation over lucrative sales of her self-published children’s books, resigned Thursday, plunging this already rattled city into another political crisis.
Pugh (D), a former state legislator, has faced public scrutiny since March, following news reports about the book deals with companies that do business with the city and state.
Her attorney, Steven D. Silverman, announced her resignation Thursday afternoon at his downtown law office, calling it a “sad day for Baltimore” and reading a brief statement from Pugh, who was believed to be at her home in the northwest part of the city. Read the rest of the story here.
Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh resigned Thursday, apologizing for the harm she has caused to the city’s image amid a growing scandal over her sales of a self-published children’s book series.
It was the latest blow to the leadership of a city that’s seen two mayors resign in scandal in less than a decade and a third one decline to seek another term after a riot over police misconduct and a soaring murder rate.
Pugh, a Democrat, submitted a letter of resignation with Thursday’s date filled in by hand. Her resignation is effective immediately, her attorney Steven Silverman said at a 96-second news conference at his offices in downtown Baltimore. Read the rest of the story here.
The New York Times
After weeks of mounting pressure, Mayor Catherine Pugh of Baltimore resigned on Thursday amid a widening scandal involving hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of children’s books that she wrote and that the University of Maryland Medical System paid for while she was serving on its board of directors.
Her resignation comes days after the Baltimore City Council proposed amending the city charter to make it possible to remove her, and after the F.B.I. raided her two homes and her office at City Hall.
Ms. Pugh stepped down from the hospital network’s board, which she had served on since 2001, but she had resisted calls to step down as mayor. She has been home on medical leave for weeks. Her lawyer told reporters previously that she was too ill to make decisions. Bernard Young, president of the Baltimore City Council, has been serving as acting mayor and will complete the rest of her term. Read the rest of the story here.
Letter from Pugh’s attorney
Dear citizens of Baltimore,
I would like to thank you for allowing me to serve as the 50th mayor. It has been an honor and a privilege.
Today, I am submitting my written resignation to the Baltimore City Council. I am sorry for the harm that I have caused to the image of the city of Baltimore and the credibility of the Office of the Mayor.
Baltimore deserves a mayor who can move our great city forward. I want to thank all of our department heads and staff who work hard every day to improve the quality of life for all who live, work and visit our city.
I also want to thank Jack Young, the president of the City Council, for his steadfast leadership in my absence.
I wish you well in your new role as mayor of Baltimore City
Sincerely,
Catherine E. Pugh