
This March 2019 photo taken in Baltimore, shows copies of Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh’s self-published “Healthy Holly” illustrated paperbacks for children. (Jerry Jackson/The Baltimore Sun via AP)
Federal agents seized computers as well as documents related to University of Maryland Medical Center and former Mayor Catherine Pugh’s “Healthy Holly” books from City Hall last month, according to documents released Wednesday.
FBI and IRS agents searched City Hall, Pugh’s Ashburton home and other locations April 25 and were seen carrying boxes out. City Solicitor Andre M. Davis declined to immediately release documents related to the search after the agents left, citing an ongoing investigation.
But city officials released subpoena and search warrant records Wednesday, the Baltimore Sun reports, including a list of items seized from City Hall. The search and seizure warrants were signed by Magistrate Judge J. Mark Coulson on April 22.
Agents seized a laptop, iPhone and two iPads from city offices as well as a $100,000 invoice and check from the University of Maryland Medical Center payable to Healthy Holly LLC, a memo from UMMS about a donation of educational materials, a Healthy Holly book, and an envelope with a book proof. Also seized were money gram receipts, notepads and notebooks and paperwork.
Pugh resigned last week following weeks of mounting calls for her to step down due to a scandal involving “Healthy Holly,” her self-published children’s books, which she sold to a health plan that does business with the city, as well as to UMMS, on whose board she sat while serving as a state lawmaker.
Pugh sold $500,000 worth of the books to the hospital network over the years and meanwhile pushed legislation that would have benefited the regional system.
UMMS has confirmed that it received a federal grand jury subpoena relating to the investigation into Pugh.
An unspecified representative from the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development is ordered to appear before a federal grand jury on May 30, according to a subpoena included in the warrant documents. The witness must bring any and all records related to the Maryland Center for Arts and Technology dating back to 2011 that involve Pugh and others associated with the organization.
Agents also seized an income statement, check, invoices and time sheets for Gary Brown Jr., a former Pugh aide who was associated with MCAT whose home was also searched April 25.
No charges have been announced by state or federal authorities.