This Maryland City Named “Most Corrupt Town in The State”

Baltimore, Maryland, is frequently cited as one of the most corrupt cities in the United States. A 2016 study by the University of Illinois at Chicago found that Baltimore had the second-highest number of federal public corruption convictions by judicial district over the past decade, with a staggering 352 guilty pleas or verdicts.

This article will explore the history of corruption in Baltimore, the factors that contribute to it, and some of the most notable examples of corruption in the city.

History of corruption in Baltimore

The first major corruption scandal in Baltimore occurred in the early 1900s, when a group of city officials were accused of taking bribes from developers in exchange for favorable treatment. This scandal led to the resignation of several officials and the establishment of a city ethics commission.

However, corruption continued to be a problem in Baltimore throughout the 20th century. In the 1970s, several city officials were convicted of racketeering and other charges. In the 1980s, Mayor Marion Barry of Washington, D.C., was caught in a drug sting operation. And in the 1990s, Baltimore City Council President Clarence Mitchell was convicted of corruption charges.

Contributing factors to Baltimore’s corruption

There are a number of factors that contribute to Baltimore’s reputation for corruption. One factor is the city’s long history of political patronage. Patronage is a system in which politicians reward their supporters with jobs and other favors. This system can create a culture of corruption, as politicians are more concerned with rewarding their supporters than with serving the public interest.

Another factor that contributes to Baltimore’s corruption is the city’s high poverty rate. Poverty can make people more susceptible to corruption, as they may be more willing to take bribes in exchange for money or other favors.

Finally, Baltimore’s entrenched economic disparities can also contribute to corruption. When there is a large gap between the rich and the poor, the rich may be more likely to use their money and influence to corrupt public officials.

Examples of corruption in Baltimore

Some of the most notable examples of corruption in Baltimore include:

• The “Gun Trace Task Force” scandal: In 2017, eight members of the Baltimore Police Department’s Gun Trace Task Force were convicted of racketeering, fraud, and other charges. The officers were accused of planting drugs on innocent people, stealing money and drugs, and selling drugs that they had seized.

• The “Vacants” scandal: In 2016, several Baltimore City Council members were accused of taking bribes to approve the demolition of vacant buildings. The scheme allowed developers to collect millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded demolition contracts.

• The “Pay-to-Play” scandal: In 2010, then-Mayor Sheila Dixon was convicted of misdemeanor fraud and misconduct in office for using her campaign funds for personal expenses. Dixon was also accused of accepting bribes from developers in exchange for favorable treatment.

Scandal	Year	Details
Gun Trace Task Force Scandal	2017	Eight Baltimore Police Department officers convicted of racketeering, fraud, and other charges for planting drugs on innocent people, stealing money and drugs, and selling drugs that they had seized.
Vacants Scandal	2016	Several Baltimore City Council members accused of taking bribes to approve the demolition of vacant buildings, allowing developers to collect millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded demolition contracts.
Pay-to-Play Scandal	2010	Then-Mayor Sheila Dixon convicted of misdemeanor fraud and misconduct in office for using her campaign funds for personal expenses and accused of accepting bribes from developers in exchange for favorable treatment.

Efforts to reform Baltimore’s political system

In recent years, there have been some efforts to reform Baltimore’s political system and address the city’s corruption problem. In 2016, the city implemented a new ethics commission and strengthened its lobbying laws.

However, corruption remains a deep-rooted problem in Baltimore, and it will take a concerted effort to address it. The city needs to continue to strengthen its ethics laws and enforcement mechanisms. It also needs to address the root causes of corruption, such as poverty and economic inequality.

Conclusion

Baltimore’s long history of corruption is a serious problem that has had a devastating impact on the city. However, there is hope for the future. With continued efforts to reform the city’s political system and address the root causes of corruption, Baltimore can begin to overcome its troubled history and build a brighter future.