Baltimore. When I think of Baltimore, I think of crime and corruption. I went to AI to refresh my memory of some of the former mayors and officials.....
Former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh was convicted in 2020 on federal fraud and tax evasion charges related to a scheme involving her Healthy Holly children’s books. She was sentenced to three years in prison but was released early in January 2022 and transferred to a Baltimore halfway house to serve the remainder of her sentence under supervised release.
Key details:
Conviction: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the U.S., and tax evasion.
Sentence: 3 years in prison (served nearly 2 years) followed by 3 years of supervised release.
Current status: Released from federal prison in early 2022 and transitioned to a residential reentry program. Her supervised release period is ongoing as of the latest reports.
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Here are notable Baltimore officials convicted of corruption or misconduct:
1. Sheila Dixon (Former Mayor)
Convicted in 2009 of misdemeanor embezzlement for stealing gift cards intended for low-income families. She resigned as part of a plea deal but later attempted a political comeback.
2. Gun Trace Task Force Officers
Eight Baltimore police officers, including Daniel Hersl and Marcus Taylor, were convicted in 2018 of federal racketeering, robbery, and overtime fraud. They stole drugs, planted evidence, and falsified records.
3. Marilyn Mosby (Former State’s Attorney)
Convicted in 2023 of perjury and mortgage fraud for lying about financial hardship to access retirement funds during COVID-19. She avoided prison but received a sentence of supervised release.
4. Baltimore City Jail Scandal (2013)
Tavon White, a gang leader, and 24 correctional officers were convicted in a massive racketeering case involving drug smuggling, bribery, and money laundering at the Baltimore City Detention Center.
5. Recent Law Enforcement Indictments (2024)
Five officers, including Corporal Zachary Small, were indicted for assault, excessive force, and misconduct. These cases remain pending as of February 2024.
Pattern of Corruption
Baltimore has faced systemic issues, with convictions spanning mayors, police units, jail staff, and prosecutors. Key problems include bribery, theft of public funds, and abuse of power.
I think of Johns Hopkins, right in the middle of that mess. It’s like U of Chicago—a great school in the midst of horrible, horrible conditions. (I’m thinking particularly of the Law School campus.)
This project probably had a chance because of the physical barriers that separated it (I-95, the water, etc.) from the rest of Baltimore. But that ought to tell you something.
I lived in the DC-shadow 2010-2013. I asked a co-worker (from Baltimore) about what to see/do (intending to take the train over for a day).
He basically drew a map of 90-percent of B-city...saying the only ‘safe’ area was where the ball-park was. I gave up on the day-trip.
You didn’t go back far enough to when Nancy Pelosi’s father was mayor. He could have taught Tammany Hall a few tricks.
It’s not affordable.
a 1 bedroom little 550sq ft closet rents for 1800.00/mo
a 2br palace rents for 3500/mo
Who wants to live there when you can purchase a 5 bedroom mcmansion 20 miles away in a gated community for at comparable mortgage.