Baltimore Bridge Collapse: Latest News & IG Report
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s office improperly spent over $52,000 in city funds on food and beverages during Baltimore Orioles and Baltimore Ravens games, according to a report released Wednesday by the city’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG).
The investigation, which reviewed procurement card (p-card) purchases from July 1, 2022, to November 17, 2025, found numerous policy violations, including a failure to obtain required waivers for 336 transactions totaling $167,455.06. Approximately $52,588.78 of that total was specifically allocated to food and drink at the two stadiums, the OIG report stated.
The city’s p-card manual prohibits the purchase of items like food and flowers without a waiver from the Bureau of Procurement (BOP), according to the report. Witnesses told investigators that the food and beverages were purchased when Mayor Scott or members of his staff attended games in the mayoral suite.
“The OIG’s investigation identified concerns regarding the Mayor’s Office’s use of P-Cards, including policy violations related to P-Card purchases, delays in reconciliations, the lack of required Bureau of Procurement (BOP) P-Card waivers, expenses for internal events, and purchases of prohibited items,” a summary of the report reads.
The OIG also identified issues with purchases for internal events, such as employee celebrations. The report did not detail the specific nature of those events or the amount spent on them beyond the overall $167,455.06 figure.
The Office of the Inspector General, led by Isabel Cumming, is tasked with ensuring efficient and honest governance within Baltimore City, investigating wasteful spending, fraud, and wrongdoing. The OIG’s mission is to build trust between the public and the city government, according to its website.
In a separate action, the Baltimore City Inspector General, with the support of her Advisory Board, has filed suit to protect the OIG’s independence, direct access to information, and subpoena authority under the City Charter. This legal action underscores the importance of the OIG’s ability to conduct unbiased investigations.
The Mayor’s Office has not yet publicly responded to the findings of the report. The OIG has stated it seeks the truth without bias, regardless of politics, and follows the evidence wherever it leads. The office can be contacted at [email protected] or (443) 984-3690.