BALTIMORE (AP) - Baltimore's city council is calling on Mayor Catherine Pugh to resign as investigators probe lucrative deals she negotiated to sell her children's book series.
The current lineup of 14 council members has signed a two-sentence letter urging Pugh to step down, taking the only step it can to pressure her out of office amid the political scandal.
Acting Mayor Bernard "Jack" Young did not sign the letter. He's the city council president who has temporarily departed the panel to take over Pugh's day-to-day responsibilities. She's on an indefinite leave of absence, citing health reasons.
Pugh spokesman James Bentley said Monday she plans on returning to City Hall "when she gets healthy." He declined to comment on the council's letter.
Baltimore Legislative Delegation
The head of Baltimore's House Delegation in the state capital says the city's delegates are supporting the call by the City Council for Pugh to resign.
Del. Cheryl Glenn stood with members of the delegation Monday night during a break on the last day of the state's legislative session. Multiple investigations are probing lucrative deals Pugh negotiated to sell self-published children's books to customers that included a hospital network she once helped oversee.
Glenn says the delegation decided to make a statement, because Pugh has said she plans to return after she recovers from a bout with pneumonia.
Glenn says the delegation is encouraging Pugh to reconsider, "because we do not believe that it's in the best interest for the city of Baltimore."
