Employees in Mayor Brandon Scott’s office skipped the necessary steps to approve purchases for food, flowers, and other items related to office events, according to a recent report from Baltimore’s Office of the Inspector General.
Since June 2022, the city has used “P-cards,” or procurement cards, for various purchases totaling about $36 million. However, the report reveals that $167,455 of those transactions did not comply with city rules. Between July 2022 and November 2025, employees made 336 purchases without the needed waivers.
City rules clearly state that certain items, including food and flowers, require prior approval from the Bureau of Procurement. Notably, most of the unauthorized purchases were for celebrations related to birthdays and other office occasions.
Around $52,588 was spent during games at the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens stadiums, a practice that seems to have been common in previous mayoral offices. However, P-card guidelines explicitly say these funds shouldn’t be used for celebrations or employee appreciation events. Even though the Bureau of Procurement has denied some requests for funding in 2023, it had previously approved others.
In response to the findings, John David “J.D.” Merrill, the mayor’s chief of staff, noted that the report lacked crucial context and emphasized that there was no evidence of intentional misuse of P-cards. The report also prompted the OIG to recommend hiring more staff to manage P-card transactions effectively.
This report coincides with rising tensions between the mayor’s office and the OIG. Recently, Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming filed a lawsuit against the city for obstructing access to records necessary for her investigations. The mayor’s office claims it is committed to transparency but has not commented on the lawsuit.
This situation raises questions about accountability and spending within city government. According to a 2022 survey by the Government Accountability Office, approximately 38% of federal agencies reported issues with proper procurement procedures, showing that this is a broader concern in public administration. As cities face tighter budgets and increased scrutiny over spending, establishing robust procurement practices becomes essential for fostering public trust and maintaining ethical standards.
For more details, you can check the full report from the Baltimore Inspector General here.
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