Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh has resigned

BALTIMORE (AP) —Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh has resigned amid an intensifying scandal and multiple investigations into the lucrative sales of her self-published children’s books.

Steven Silverman is Pugh’s attorney. He announced Pugh’s resignation at a news conference Thursday afternoon. He said it will take effect immediately.

Reading from a written statement from Pugh, Silverman quoted her as saying, “Baltimore deserves a mayor who can move our great city forward.”

The decision comes exactly one week after FBI and IRS agents raided the mayor’s home and City Hall offices.

Republican Gov. Larry and numerous Democrats have pressed for Pugh’s resignation.

Governor Hogan Statement On Resignation Of Mayor Catherine Pugh
State Pledges Full Support To City In Time Of Transition

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today released the following statement regarding the resignation of Baltimore City Mayor Catherine Pugh:

“This was the right decision, as it was clear the mayor could no longer lead effectively. The federal and state investigations must and will continue to uncover the facts.

“Baltimore City can now begin to move forward. The state pledges its full support to incoming Mayor Jack Young and to city leaders during this time of transition.”

Pugh has been in self-imposed seclusion for a month. She initially announced that she was taking a leave of absence to recover from pneumonia.

At issue is the roughly $800,000 Pugh received through the years from a hospital network, insurance carriers that did business with the city and a financier for bulk copies of her “Healthy Holly” children’s books.

The first-term Democrat became mayor in late 2016.