Drama surrounds Baltimore mayor's book sales

Selling books is a challenge, but that doesn’t mean you should take questionable shortcuts.

That’s the lesson Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh is learning the hard way, after the city’s newspaper uncovered a no-bid deal she struck with the University of Maryland Medical System to sell her children’s books.

Additionally, Kaiser Permanente — which won a city contract, under Pugh's tenure, to provide insurance to municipal workers — had in the past placed multiple orders for the Healthy Holly book.

Pugh did not appear to have abstained from voting on the contract.

She is taking a leave of absence now, though a statement says it’s because of her health and doesn’t mention the Healthy Holly scandal.

The Baltimore Sun reported on the Healthy Holly book deal and Pugh’s leave of absence, if you’d like to catch up on the drama.