Waste Of The Day: Taxpayers Fund Mayor's Wife's Charity

Baltimore allocated $62,500 in 2023 to Bmore Empowered, a nonprofit where Mayor Brandon Scott's wife, Hana Scott, serves as director of operations. A representative from the mayor's office sits on the board of the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund, which awarded the grant. The nonprofit has not filed recent tax forms, raising transparency concerns. Hana Scott declined to comment and blocked reporters on LinkedIn. Six City Council members have proposed legislation to prevent similar payments, citing oversight and transparency. Mayor Scott opposes this bill, arguing it would hinder his office's funding initiatives. A spokesperson for the Youth Fund stated that increased transparency could jeopardize their operations. Past reports from Open the Books highlight pre-existing transparency issues within Baltimore's nonprofits. The article emphasizes that while the payment was not illegal, such situations undermine public trust. This situation is highlighted as a potential waste of taxpayer money.