Politics · United States · 2 hrs ago
Baltimore mayor faces scrutiny after joke about keeping his email empty
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott joked that his government inbox was empty during a public meeting about city computer security.
He told City Council President Zeke Cohen, “The only way to protect your email is to not email.”
Scott later said he was joking and that he uses his government email when appropriate.
The remark drew attention because Scott’s administration is in a legal dispute with the city’s inspector general over access to government records and computer systems.
The watchdog’s office sued after city officials removed its access to municipal records.
Court proceedings have involved heavily redacted documents and delays in releasing records to investigators.
Scott denied using his personal email for city business, while saying he prefers to communicate directly with staff and residents.
The legal fight over investigators’ access to records is ongoing, and no outcome is stated.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is facing scrutiny after joking that he keeps his government email empty to prevent anyone from accessing his messages.
He made the remark during an October 21 meeting of the city’s Board of Estimates, which was discussing government computer security and access to sensitive information.
Scott said the comment was made in jest and that he uses his government email when appropriate.
The remarks drew added attention amid a legal dispute between his administration and the city’s independent watchdog over access to government records.
Scott said he prefers direct communication with city employees and residents and denied using his personal email for city business.
- Who
- Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott made the remark. City Council President Zeke Cohen was the person he addressed.
- What
- Scott joked that his government email account had no emails and that not emailing was the way to protect email. He later said he was joking and uses the account when appropriate.
- When
- The remark was made at an October 21 meeting. Scott addressed it at a news conference on Thursday.
- Where
- At a meeting of Baltimore’s Board of Estimates.
- Why
- Officials were discussing the security of government computer systems and access to sensitive information. The joke drew scrutiny amid a dispute over access to government records.
Brandon Scott’s administration
Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming’s office
Access to records
Brandon Scott’s administration
The administration removed the watchdog’s access to municipal records and defended its position in court.
Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming’s office
Cumming’s office sought legal action to restore its access to government records.
Communications and scrutiny
Brandon Scott’s administration
Scott said his remark was made in jest, said he uses government email when appropriate and called the scrutiny ridiculous.
Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming’s office
The watchdog’s investigators have been fighting to access government records; the article does not state Cumming’s response to Scott’s joke.
Scott joked about his government email during a Board of Estimates meeting on computer security and access to sensitive information.
City officials removed the inspector general’s access to municipal records, and her office launched legal action to restore it.
Scott said at a news conference that his remark was in jest and that he uses government email when appropriate.
- Mayor
- Brandon Scott
- Meeting date
- October 21
- Meeting body
- Baltimore Board of Estimates
- Person addressed
- City Council President Zeke Cohen
- Watchdog
- Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming’s Office of Inspector General