Gov. Hogan: 'Mayor Pugh Must Resign'

After news of FBI and IRS raids on Mayor Catherine Pugh's homes, her attorney's office and City Hall, Gov. Larry Hogan called on her to resign.

"Now more than ever, Baltimore City needs strong and responsible leadership. Mayor Pugh has lost the public trust. She is clearly not fit to lead," Hogan said in a statement. "For the good of the city, Mayor Pugh must resign."

Now more than ever, Baltimore City needs strong and responsible leadership. Mayor Pugh has lost the public trust. She is clearly not fit to lead. For the good of the city, Mayor Pugh must resign. — Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) April 25, 2019

Earlier this month, Hogan directed the state prosecutor to investigate Pugh's business dealings.

The entire City Council, the city's House of Delegates delegation and Comptroller Peter Franchot have already called for her resignation. Acting Mayor Bernard C. "Jack" Young this week said he would "hate to see" Pugh return to office, but said that his demanding a resignation would be "self-serving."

Under the state constitution, the mayor can only be suspended from office if convicted of a felony or of a misdemeanor connected to her public duties, and removed when the conviction becomes final or when pleading guilty or no contest. That amendment was put before voters in 2012, after former Mayor Sheila Dixon was charged and convicted, and then reached a plea agreement with the state prosecutor's office that required her resignation. In that case, Dixon used $600 in retail gift cards that were intended to be given to needy families.

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