A mayor’s house, contractors and a web of self-dealing

Power and Influence in Baltimore. The Catherine Pugh Healthy Holly scandal shined a light on the web of cozy relationships and questionable city government dealings that Baltimore Brew has been documenting for years. Our stories during this tumultuous year in Baltimore politics documented how deep-seated those relationships were - and still are.

J.P. Grant’s contracts with the city to be investigated

City Council President Brandon Scott calls on the Inspector General to review the businessman’s contracts, while Councilman Kristerfer Burnett says the current system is “open to bribery.”

Pugh’s downfall was propelled by her ineffective leadership

Baltimore’s 50th mayor flailed and faltered while in office, but nobody called her out until the “Healthy Holly” scandal broke.

Pugh fined $500 for new roof without permit after The Brew reported lapses

Mayor was cited for not having a building permit or permission to replace the slate roof on her Ashburton house with asphalt shingles.

Healthy Holly buyer J.P. Grant is silent partner in company that got massive city conduit project

The same company extensively renovated Mayor Pugh’s new house at a discounted price.

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Connected contractor renovated Pugh’s house at a discount

EXCLUSIVE: The mayor paid about 20% of what the work was worth to a company that received a lucrative conduit contract.

Mayor Pugh’s mover got city-owned condo at bargain price

EXCLUSIVE: Politically connected mover gets condominium unit well below market rate. Pugh fails to abstain from BOE vote.

Mayor purchased new house during the time she received Healthy Holly payments

EXCLUSIVE: The mayor’s new house in Ashburton, apparently purchased with cash, has been extensively renovated. A spokesman for Pugh, hospitalized with pneumonia, has not responded to questions about it.