Former Baltimore mayor sentenced to three years for children’s book scheme

By Luke Parker
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer

Former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, who held elected offices for two decades and was chosen to lead the city following its unrest in 2015, was sentenced to three years in federal prison Thursday after pleading guilty to four counts of conspiracy and tax evasion involving her children’s book series.

The sentencing marks the end of a nearly yearlong upheaval of the mayor’s social and political significance, which included her resignation from public office, as well as FBI raids on both her home and City Hall.

Pugh, 69, directly addressed a packed, emotional courtroom audience, apologizing for her “own shortcomings.”

“No one is more disappointed than me,” she said. “I will do everything I can to piece my life back together.”

Outside the courthouse following the decision, Pugh apologized again, stating “nobody loves Baltimore more than I do.” In addition to claiming that she had not intended to harm anyone, the former mayor also acknowledged her punishment as an opportunity for personal growth, redemption, and reformation.

“I will continue to listen, learn, and I don’t think this is the last chapter of Catherine Pugh,” she told reporters. “I look forward to regaining my strength, my zeal.”

Pugh stood in front of U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow during the nearly four-hour hearing. In handing down the prison sentence, which will be followed by three years of probation, Chasanow shared the prosecution’s sentiments, calling Pugh’s crimes “astounding.”

“I have yet to hear an explanation that makes any sense,” the judge said, referring to the nearly 80 letters Pugh’s defense team submitted on behalf of the disgraced mayor’s supporters. “This was not a tiny mistake or lapse of judgment. This became a very large fraud.”

In addition to the enormous number of mercy-seeking letters, Pugh’s team released a 13-minute video that touted Pugh’s political accomplishments and showcased several testimonials from supporters, including that of the late U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, whose comments were from Pugh’s mayoral inauguration.

“I messed up. I really messed up,” the former mayor said in the video. “I accept total responsibility. I pled guilty and I’m sorry. I don’t know any other words that could be strong. I am so sorry.”

Pugh’s public fall began in March after The Baltimore Sun reported that she had entered into a no-bid deal with the University of Maryland Medical System, where Pugh sat on the board of directors, to buy 100,000 copies of her “Healthy Holly” children’s books for $500,000. Prosecutors said that at the same time, Pugh double-sold thousands of copies of her books and took many others as tools in reelection and publicity bids.

Though Pugh had maintained and unofficially advertised her books as part of a nonprofit effort, prosecutors say she was retaining between 80-100 percent of the sales profits.

The former mayor was ordered to pay restitution of $400,000 to the University of Maryland Medical System and almost $12,000 to the Maryland Auto Insurance Fund, which also purchased her books.

Pugh also must forfeit nearly $670,000, including her Ashburton home, as well as $17,800 from her campaign account. Similarly, every copy of “Healthy Holly” that is currently in government custody will be destroyed too.

The prison sentence split the difference between the requests of prosecutors and the defense. Prosecutors requested nearly five years for what they described as “shocking” acts, and Pugh’s defense team asked that the former mayor receive a year and a day.

“I disagree that the length of the sentence has no impact on others out there who might be thinking about using or abusing their positions of trust,” Chasanow said.

U.S. Attorney Robert Hur also addressed the impact of Pugh’s crimes on public trust, saying that they undermined “everyone’s faith in government and what government can do for the people.”

Hur declined to say, however, whether Pugh’s sentencing marked the end of the investigation or the extent to which the University of Maryland Medical System is being inspected.