The Baltimore city council has called for Mayor Catherine Pugh’s immediate resignation (MARK WILSON)

Washington (AFP) – The Baltimore city council called for the immediate resignation of the troubled Maryland city’s mayor on Monday over her sale of children’s books she wrote to the state hospital system for $500,000.

Fourteen of the 15 members of the city council signed a letter saying they believed it was “not in the best interest of the city” for Mayor Catherine Pugh to remain in office.

“We urge you to tender your resignation, effective immediately,” the letter said.

Pugh has been embroiled in a scandal since it was revealed that the University of Maryland Medical System had spent $500,000 to buy 100,000 copies of a self-published children’s book series by the mayor called “Healthy Holly.”

Pugh, a Democrat, was serving as a member of the hospital system’s board at the time but has since resigned the post. She has also returned $100,000.

The city’s main newspaper, the Baltimore Sun, published an editorial, meanwhile, urging Pugh to step down.

“Faced with a deepening scandal surrounding sales of her self-published children’s books and a catastrophic loss of public confidence, Mayor Catherine Pugh must resign,” the Sun said.

“She has been unable or unwilling to present a credible defense of her business dealings (and), she is under ethics and criminal investigations,” it said.

Pugh is currently on leave from her position of mayor but a spokesman said in a statement Monday that she intended to return to the job.

“Mayor Pugh has taken a leave to focus on recovering from pneumonia and regaining her health,” the statement said. “She fully intends to resume the duties of her office and continuing her work on behalf of the people and the City of Baltimore.”

Pugh’s current term expires in 2020.

Baltimore, a city of some 600,000, is grappling with a soaring crime rate, racial unrest and poverty levels that are among the highest in the country.  

Disclaimer: Validity of the above story is for 7 Days from original date of publishing. Source: AFP.