Sun Investigates - baltimoresun.com

Some city workers rack up overtime

By Scott Calvert — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:54:00 EDT

DPW supervisor made 87% of her salary in first third of year

It’s been a busy year so far for Audrey Dyer-Brown, collections supervisor at the city Department of Public Works. Her job duties have ballooned — and so has her paycheck.

Theft of Baltimore traffic signal batteries under investigation

By Scott Calvert , The Baltimore Sun — Sat, 25 May 2013 14:56:26 EDT

Locations include Harford Road, Wilkens Avenue corridors

Someone's been making off with the big industrial batteries that provide backup power at traffic signals in Baltimore, and now the thefts are being investigated by the city inspector general's office, which looks into allegations of waste, fraud and abuse in municipal government.

Inquiry leads to full correction page in city schools budget

By Erica L. Green — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:47:00 EDT

Revision process recalls memories of 2007 budget blunder

It started with a simple question on Tuesday, May 14: Why is the line item for "Summer Learning" in the Baltimore City school system's budget blank? The Sun had published several stories about the program and its successes over the years, so to see that it had no number attached naturally piqued our interest.

FBI document shows start of corrections corruption probe

By Ian Duncan, The Baltimore Sun — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:49:00 EDT

Recent indictment hit 25 with Black Guerrilla Family smuggling allegations at Baltimore City Detention Center

Federal and state law enforcement agencies have been working since 2011 to take on corruption in prisons — their efforts recently resulted in the indictment of more than two dozen in an alleged smuggling scheme — and a document the FBI released last week provides new details on the partnership.

County councilman hasn't disclosed outside jobs for years

By Alison Knezevich, The Baltimore Sun — Sun, 19 May 2013 11:18:00 EDT

John Olszewski Sr. files amended disclosure forms

A Baltimore County councilman did not disclose his outside employment over the past several years, including his work with a painting and drywall company that has a $3.1 million contract at a new high school being built in his district.

Behind the scenes of a decision to shut down speed cameras

By Scott Calvert , The Baltimore Sun — Sat, 18 May 2013 15:30:25 EDT

The emailed directive went out midmorning April 16 from a Baltimore City traffic engineer: No more speed camera tickets are to be issued from the camera in the 3900 block of The Alameda. Less than five hours later, an engineering supervisor wrote another email, stating that the city's entire speed and red-light camera network was being suspended.

Officials' phone records show political, personal contacts

By Scott Calvert and Alison Matas — Tue, 14 May 2013 09:13:00 EDT

Differing responses point to varied views on public information law

Days before last November’s election, Gov. Martin O’Malley used his cellphone to call Jim Murren, the chief executive of MGM Resorts International in Las Vegas.

Why doesn't Baltimore's schools chief need teaching experience?

By Luke Broadwater — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:00:00 EDT

Why doesn’t Baltimore’s schools CEO need teaching experience, like other superintendents in the state?

Balto. Co. won't release developer plans for public-owned sites

By Alison Knezevich, The Baltimore Sun — Sat, 4 May 2013 14:47:00 EDT

North Point Government Center, Towson fire station, Randallstown police substation in play

Baltimore County is preparing to sell three taxpayer-owned properties to private developers, but members of the public won't know all the details of what they're planning until officials make a decision.

Baltimore Behavioral Health must repay retirement money

By Scott Calvert , The Baltimore Sun — Sat, 4 May 2013 14:53:00 EDT

Clinic, former CEO owe employees $49,200, judge rules

A federal judge has ordered a West Pratt Street clinic and its former chief executive to repay more than 60 current and former employees nearly $50,000 that the private company never deposited into their retirement accounts as required.