Maryland Senate leader Ferguson criticizes Baltimore inspector general over post as fallout continues

BALTIMORE - Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson said an apology from Baltimore City Inspector General Isabel Cumming does not go far enough after she shared a video featuring an AI-generated image attacking Mayor Brandon Scott - a move that has triggered an ethics complaint and renewed debate over professional boundaries for the city's top watchdog.

"An apology is fine for personal redemption. It's not sufficient professionally under the circumstances," Ferguson said in a post on X.

He said the decision to share insulting and offensive content targeting a sitting mayor undermined public trust in an office "built on impartiality" and weakened the public's confidence in oversight.

The Baltimore City Board of Ethics is reviewing a complaint filed by the mayor's office after Cumming posted a third-party YouTube video commentary earlier this month that included a manipulated image portraying Scott surrounded by luxury goods and cash. Cumming said she did not notice the image and does not endorse it, removed the post, and issued a public apology.

The episode, Ferguson said, highlights the need for clearer guardrails around access to and use of public-sector data.

"This whole episode is exactly why a thoughtful, purposeful framework for accessing data in the public sector is so important," Ferguson wrote. "Too often personal vendettas cause people to make bad choices, and good public policy requires systems to be in place to limit the potential damage that can result."

The criticism comes as tensions remain high between Cumming and the mayor's office over the independence of the inspector general's role. Cumming sued the city earlier this year after her access to certain records was curtailed following a state audit. A Baltimore judge has allowed that lawsuit to move forward.

Mayor Scott's chief of staff, John David Merrill, told the ethics board that the inspector general's social media activity, including follows, comments and reposts tied to partisan political commentary, raises broader concerns about perceived bias and independence. The complaint argues that pairing misleading claims with a racist, fabricated image crossed a professional line.

Since removing the video, Cumming has continued posting personal content on social media, including reflections about visiting family in Florida and remembering her late father during a walk on the beach. The post, accompanied by a photo of a seabird in flight, did not reference city business.

While the ethics review focuses on professional conduct, the contrast between that personal post and the disputed video underscores the challenge public officials face in navigating personal expression online while holding offices that demand neutrality.

City officials have not indicated how long the ethics review may take. Ferguson did not call for specific disciplinary action, but said the situation serves as a warning.

"For offices grounded in independence," he wrote, "public trust is everything."

The ethics complaint remains pending.

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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 5:23 PM.