# Judge orders Baltimore mayor to restore inspector general's access

> A Baltimore judge ruled that Mayor Brandon Scott must give Inspector General Isabel Cumming direct access to city records, rejecting the mayor's claims about legal privilege.
- Title: Judge orders Baltimore mayor to restore inspector general's…
- Summary: A Baltimore judge ruled that Mayor Brandon Scott must give Inspector General Isabel Cumming direct access to city records, rejecting the mayor's claims about…
- Keywords: baltimore, brandon scott, isabel cumming, inspector general, city records access, court ruling, government oversight, attorney-client privilege, transparency, subpoenas, news, local
- Source: The Banner — https://thebanner.com/politics-power/local-government/brandon-scott-isabel-cumming-records-lawsuit-5LTBIQN2ZFFWPCXJOPTJ2UT3NM
- Author: Emily Opilo
- Published: 2026-09-16T18:52:12.494+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: baltimore, brandon scott, isabel cumming, inspector general, city records access, court ruling, government oversight, attorney-client privilege, transparency, subpoenas, news, local
## Judge sides with inspector general
A Baltimore judge ruled Wednesday that Mayor Brandon Scott must restore direct access to city records for Inspector General Isabel Cumming and fulfill a dozen pending subpoenas.

> I don't see any reason to further delay the critical work of the inspector general.
## The dispute began in February
Scott cut off Cumming's direct access to city documents like memos, emails and invoices in January, claiming it violated attorney-client privilege. Cumming challenged the decision in court.
## Judge rejected privilege arguments
Judge Pamela White dismissed the mayor's claims that direct access would violate attorney-client privilege, saying she saw no evidence that Cumming's office had shared confidential information.

> I am not going to play into any notion of distrust by the city for the work or the independence of the inspector general.
## City must fulfill subpoenas
White ordered the city to respond to a dozen subpoenas from Cumming's office, though the city can withhold records covered by attorney-client and work product exemptions if it provides written explanations.
## Mayor's office plans to appeal
The Scott administration said it will explore all options and review the judge's order. City attorneys previously filed a preliminary appeal that was denied.
## Scott claims inspector general abused access
The mayor's office maintains that Cumming repeatedly abused her previous access to information and violated attorney-client privilege for personal motives, concerns it says the ruling did not address.
## Public information act doesn't apply
White previously ruled that Maryland's Public Information Act, which the city cited to restrict Cumming's access, does not apply to the inspector general's office.
## Key takeaway

Courts can compel government officials to provide oversight bodies with document access, even when they claim legal privilege concerns.