Mayor Pugh Apologizes For 'Healthy Holly' Book Deal

Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh said she never intended for her "Healthy Holly" books to create such a scandal, and apologized to city residents and others for the harm caused.

"I apologize that I've done something to upset the people of Baltimore," Pugh said at a Thursday evening press conference. "I never intended to do anything that could not stand up to scrutiny."

Speaking against doctor's orders hours after her release from Johns Hopkins Hospital for pneumonia, Pugh addressed the media at City Hall where she presented documentation related to her informal agreement with the University of Maryland Medical System, the donation of books to Baltimore City schools, and broader plans for the books' title character.

"It really was about a shared mission, one that I'm excited to share, and one that has been part of my life for quite a long time," Pugh said.

Pugh resigned from the UMMS board following questions about her book deal with the system. Two other board members who had business deals with the system have also resigned, and four have stepped off temporarily. The system's CEO is also on leave.

The revelations also led leaders in Annapolis to take action, with emergency legislation aimed at prohibiting board members from intentionally using the office for private gain, and prohibits the board from awarding no-bid contracts to members. Gov. Larry Hogan, who has publicly expressed his outrage in the matter, said Thursday Pugh needs to be more forthcoming.

"I think we need to get to the bottom of this and get to the facts," Hogan said. "I'm still not comfortable that we do know the facts."

Pugh said the idea for "Healthy Holly" had its genesis at a 2008 conference on childhood obesity. She asked a U.S. health official what was being done to address the particularly high rate of obesity among children of color, the official said that was a question for the U.S. Department of Education. Frustrated, Pugh said, she got bored and started scribbling. Those scribbles became the title character.

She self-published limited quantities in 2010, and also brought to Thursday's appearance prototype "Healthy Holly" items including jump ropes and baby clothes.

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"Let me stress," Pugh said. "Healthy Holly was never about books. Our children need to live a healthy lifestyle."

State records show Pugh sold $20,000 worth of children's books she wrote to UMMS two different times -- once in 2013 and again in 2017. She reported her profit was $100,000 each time, but later said that was an error, saying it should have been $20,000 each time. On Thursday, Pugh said there was never a formal contract between her and the hospital system.

Pugh also didn't talk about possible tax issues related to her relationship with the hospital system.

Pugh said she regretted "any reputational damage to the University of Maryland Medical Center."

Pugh presented paperwork that she said showed 56,000 books shipped to Baltimore City Public Schools, and there's another order for 20,000 books underway.

Pugh said there were three shipments of the book made from 2011 to 2015 and that in each of those shipments, she had shipped back to her about 1,800 books.

"I do hope we find out from the school system where the rest of the books are," Pugh said.

The school system earlier said 8,700 of an unknown number of copies originally sent, had been received unsolicited and were sitting in a district warehouse.

"I will continue to write, something I've been doing for years, and I will continue to look for ways to inspire our children," Pugh said. "I am deeply sorry for any lack of confidence or disappointment which this initiative may have caused in Baltimore City citizens, friends and colleagues."

Pugh did not take questions, citing legal advice.

Pugh: “I cannot take questions.” Says she’s been advised of that because the matter is under review. @wbalradio pic.twitter.com/kyclxhlJsX — Phil Yacuboski (@WBALPhil) March 28, 2019

Phil Yacuboski contributed to this report.