MAYOR OF BALTIMORE, CATHERINE PUGH RESIGNS OVER CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS SURROUNDING HER 'SELF-PUBLISHED CHILDREN'S BOOKS'

MAYOR OF BALTIMORE, CATHERINE PUGH RESIGNS OVER CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS SURROUNDING HER 'SELF-PUBLISHED CHILDREN'S BOOKS'

Mayor of Baltimore, Catherine Pugh has resigned amid investigations into lucrative business deals for her self-published children's books. 

Her resignation follows an FBI raid of her home and an amendment proposed by Baltimore City Council that would make it possible to remove her from office. The Democrat earned thousands of dollars through sales of Healthy Holly books to city-linked public entities. They include health providers and schools. 

Pugh has been on sick leave since 1st of April, recovering from pneumonia, according to her office. She announced her resignation on Thursday in a statement read by her lawyer, Steve Silverman. 

"I am sorry for the harm that I have caused to the image of the city of Baltimore and the credibility of the office of the mayor," the statement said.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, who has called on Pugh to step down, applauded her decision as the “right” one, adding “it was clear the mayor could no longer lead effectively.”