After Questions About Police Career, Pugh's New Spokesman Resigns

RadioOnFire.com - Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh's new spokesperson resigned Wednesday hours after being introduced to the media after questions arose about his former career as a city police officer.

According to the Baltimore Sun, city and court records show that Darryl Strange was at the center of three lawsuits while he was serving on the force between 2006 and 2011. The city ultimately paid $80,000 to resolve two of the suits, with a third being settled.

See my @wbalradio video from @BaltCityHall as just hours after he was publicly introduced as @MayorPugh50 new press secretary former @BaltimorePolice officer Daryl Strange resigned pic.twitter.com/0cceLd2dH8

— Scott Wykoff (@ScottWykoffWBAL) March 15, 2018

In one of the suits, an owner of a check cashing store claimed Strange wrongfully arrested him after he got into a dispute with a customer, accusing Strange of shoving him against a wall and handcuffing him.  Another suit accused Strange of crashing his police cruiser into another vehicle.  A third case, in which Strange was accused of racial profiling during a traffic stop, was "resolved" according to the accuser's attorney.

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In a statement to WBAL, Mayor Pugh said:  "As for anyone who applies to work at City Hall and particularly in a senior role, there is an extensive vetting process that takes time to complete.  This process was still underway for Mr. Strange, who having worked as a senior communications officer in government, began in the communications department here at City Hall this past Monday. Mr. Strange informed me late today, however, that he will not be continuing as press secretary.  We will be seeking to fill this role in the coming period."

The Mayor's Communications office has seen its share of turnover in recent months, with former spokesperson Anthony McCarthy leaving the administration last November.  The most recent person in the role, Amanda Smith, announced earlier this month she was transitioning into a role with the Mayor’s Office of Small, Minority and Women Owned Business Development.

Source WBAL