Baltimore mayor says he avoids city email amid transparency concerns

Baltimore city leaders are engaged in a debate over access to city emails and records, following a judge's order to restore the inspector general's access to all city records, WBFF reported.

The dispute arose after the city had blocked the inspector general's access during an investigation into alleged fraud at a city youth program, according to FOX45 Baltimore.

City Council President Zeke Cohen expressed concerns about privacy and access within city systems, emphasizing that officials should only have access to necessary emails.

Mayor Brandon Scott responded by stating he does not use his city email, suggesting that avoiding email is the only way to protect it, as reported by FOX45 Baltimore.

Taxpayer advocate David Williams criticized the mayor's approach, calling it disturbing that the mayor would circumvent email to avoid public records disclosure.

Baltimore's administrative manual states that users have no expectation of privacy when using city IT resources, and the city reserves the right to access such communications.