FREDERICK, Md. (AP) — Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner is defending her decision to return to the city of Baltimore a nearly $50,000 reimbursement for assisting with riot control in 2015 after the death of a young black man whose neck was broken in a police van.
The Democratic official told The Frederick News-Post Tuesday that the county has a "social contract" to help other jurisdictions in times of need such as the riots after the 2015 death of Freddie Gray.
Three Republican council members questioned whether Gardner had the authority to return the money without council approval. Councilman Kirby Delauter says the money could have been used for school construction or other services.
Montgomery County returned a $296,000 reimbursement check earlier this month. Baltimore County chose not to seek reimbursement of $257,000.