QUASI-PUBLIC AGENCIES’ WORKERS
LIVE IT UP AT TAXPAYERS’ EXPENSE
The floundering of publicly funded projects in Baltimore and Western Maryland hasn’t stopped employees of two quasi-public agencies that use taxpayer-backed borrowing to fund private business, from dining in upscale restaurants, enjoying pricey meals and drinks, and attending Baltimore Ravens football games at taxpayer expense, according to a report made public Tuesday by Fox45 WBFF-TV.
The agencies in question — the Baltimore Development Corp. (BDC) and Maryland Economic Development Corp. (MEDCO), which are charged with responsibility for assisting economic growth, encouraging increased commerce, and stimulating employment in the city and state — often operate under the radar of watchdog organizations, outside the normal scope of government oversight.
At breakfast meetings, for example, employees and guests feasted on yogurt parfait and Belgian waffles at a cost to Maryland taxpayers of over $1,000.
Other expenditures included $1,400 for Ravens tickets, money for gift cards, and pricey dinners at such upscale restaurants as the Capital Grille and Tio Pepe’s; and beer, wine and liquor for holiday and retirement parties.
On one occasion $1,400 was spent on crabs for a group of 100 employees and guests.
All this, while projects promoted by the agencies, such as Baltimore’s under-performing Convention Center hotel and Western Maryland’s Rocky Gap Resort, are in the red.
The cost, supporters say, for mixing public finance with private profit.
The price, detractors say, of mingling public dollars with private interests.
Both MEDCO and the BDC declined to talk to Fox45 on camera, although the station indicated that the BDC was more straightforward in answering questions.
The investigation was spearheaded by Fox45’s Investigative Producer Stephen Janis, Baltimore’s premier watchdog journalist.
—VoB Staff report
VIEW THE FOX45-TV VIDEO AS AIRED TUESDAY (click here)
