Welcome to the OIG . . .
OIG's 2020 Annual Report
A Message from the Inspector General
With much gratitude, the Baltimore City Office of the Inspector General (OIG) presents its second independent Annual Report to the citizens and employees of Baltimore City. The OIG has been an independent office within City government since November 7, 2018, when voters overwhelmingly mandated its independence. The Office is best described as a nonpartisan arbiter of truth that promotes efficiency in government programs.
This past year has been another productive year for the OIG. Again, City employees and members of the public have made the greatest impact on our cases. The growth of the hotline has allowed the public and employees to play an integral role in fighting financial waste and corruption in our fine City. Teamwork with other law enforcement agencies have proven to be an integral part of the success of this office. We appreciate the partnership with the Maryland Office of the State Prosecutor, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service, Office of the U.S. Attorneys, and many more.
Often, it felt as if the Office faced insurmountable obstacles; however, like the flower pictured on the front of this Annual Report, we have managed to break through with investigations and reports that have made a difference to our City. There is still a long way to go, but you have my sincere promise that the OIG will continue to move forward with its mission to provide the citizens of Baltimore City with accountability and transparency.
Much appreciation must go to my tireless team. Since each must have the ability to blend into any situation, they are relegated to anonymity by necessity. They are the reason for the success of the OIG. They are a diverse and highly trained group of investigators who believe in uncovering the truth and relaying the facts to citizens. They represent the best of our City.
The OIG team is proud of its accomplishments in 2020, with documented savings of almost three million dollars, the establishment of an Ethics Program within the Office, and the roll out of the Whistleblower program. As stated in our report last year, the Inspector General is the “People’s Investigator.” Our Office has an unwavering commitment to help Baltimore City and its people. We work diligently to provide citizens and employees an avenue to successfully fight financial fraud, waste, and abuse in our government.
With sincere gratitude,
Isabel Mercedes Cumming
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Mission
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the City of Baltimore was authorized by Executive Order, which was signed by Mayor Martin O’Malley on July 27, 2005. In 2018 that bill was introduced to establish OIG Independence. As a change to the Charter of Baltimore City - the amendment, Article X, appeared on the ballot. On November 7, 2018, the citizens of Baltimore City overwhelmingly approved the ballot amendment! The vote made the Office of the Inspector General independent and the amendment received the highest number of affirmative votes of all proposed amendments on the ballot with 83%! This Independence ensures accountability, transparency and integrity in government without political influence or pressure as mandated by the citizens.
The Mission of the Office of the Inspector General is to promote accountability, efficiency and integrity in City government. One way that we carry out that mission is by investigating complaints of fraud, waste and abuse. The OIG will consider all complaints of fraud, waste and abuse involving:
- Any City elected official;
- Any City employee;
- Any member of a board or commission established or governed by the City Charter, City Code, or an executive order issued by the Mayor;
- Any City contractor or person negotiating a contract with the City;
- Any person seeking certification to provide goods or services to the City; or;
- Any external recipient of City funds, benefits, or services.
Article X states that all municipal officers and City employees shall promptly provide to the Inspector General any information, document, report, record, account or other material requested by the Inspector General in connection with any formal investigation.
The Inspector General may, issue a subpoena, to require any person to appear under oath as a witness; or require the production of any information, document, report, record, account, or other material. The Inspector General may enforce any subpoena issued pursuant to this subsection in any court of competent jurisdiction.
The Office of the Inspector General
City Hall, Room 635
100 North Holliday Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Hotline: 800-417-0430
Office: 443-984-3690
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