Donezo: Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh Resigns Amid Children's Book Scandal 

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Baltimore politician Catherine Pugh has decided to resign from her role as Mayor of the city amid reports of dubious financial dealings tied to her self-published children’s book. According to the Baltimore Sun, Pugh was under increasing pressure to step down after federal agents from the IRS and FBI raided her home and office due to suspicion of fraudulent financial deals. Reports say that various organizations purchased copies of the book “Healthy Holly: Exercising is Fun,” and may have given Pugh as much as $800,000 in exchange for lucrative city contracts, in some cases worth millions.

University of Maryland Medical System, where Pugh was once on the board, paid $500,000 for her book, Grant Capital Management gave $100,000 toward helping book sales to “tackle childhood obesity,” and several other huge organizations reportedly gave the former Mayor money.

On Thursday, Pugh’s lawyer read a statement from the Mayor, saying:

“I am sorry for the harm that I have caused to the image of the city of Baltimore and the credibility of the office of the mayor. Baltimore deserves a mayor who can move our great city forward.”

Pugh has been on personal leave since April 1, 2019, after the announcement that the federal government was investigating her book dealings.Baltimore City Council President Bernard “Jack” Young has been serving as acting mayor since Pugh went on leave. At this time, no charges have been filed against the former Mayor.