Gov. Hogan: 'Very Difficult' For Pugh To Govern Effectively As Probes Continue

After calls from Comptroller Peter Franchot and multiple Baltimore City Council members for Mayor Catherine Pugh's resignation, Gov. Larry Hogan said Thursday he thinks "it's very difficult" for her to govern effectively amid multiple investigations into her business dealings.

Hogan spoke to the media for several minutes outside Oriole Park at Camden Yards, before the Orioles' home opener.

Before the #Orioles game, @GovLarryHogan answered questions about the investigation into Mayor Pugh - he’s not calling for her to resign, but says it’s difficult for her to govern effectively. @wbalradio pic.twitter.com/lziZak7VbC — Phil Yacuboski (@WBALPhil) April 4, 2019

"We need to get to the facts and get to the bottom of this," Hogan said. "Obviously, I'm outraged and appalled by the allegation and we need to get the investigation done, so we can get to the facts."

On Monday, Hogan formally asked the state prosecutor to begin a criminal investigation of issues related to Pugh's sales of "Healthy Holly" children's books through her LLC. Hours later, Pugh's office announced she would go on an indefinite leave of absence, citing her recovery from a recent bout of pneumonia. On Tuesday, Pugh's attorney confirmed that the state prosecutor investigation was underway.

Pugh's LLC was paid $500,000 by the University of Maryland Medical System for 100,000 copies of the books. Pugh, who was on the medical system's board at the time, said UMMS was the only buyer. Later transactions emerged involving entities including Kaiser Permanente, which has a $48 million contract to insure city employees. In her role on the Board of Estimates, Pugh voted to approve that deal in 2017. Acting Mayor Bernard C. "Jack" Young has asked the city solicitor's office to review all contracts awarded over a 90-day period to determine whether there was any disclosure that should have been made.

The House and Senate also worked on emergency legislation, versions of which have passed in each house, to reform UMMS governance and require the replacement of all board members over the months to come. Hogan, who advocated for that legislation, said he plans to sign the bill lawmakers send to him.

He said he talked to Young on Wednesday, would meet him at the Orioles game and plans to have a more formal meeting next week.

"We're going to be there to back up the city any way we can," Hogan said.