June 9th, 2022 by WCBC Radio

WBAL reports Gov. Larry Hogan wants the report on the widespread grade changing in Baltimore City Schools to be investigated by the Maryland State Prosecutor and the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.

In a press release sent today Hogan stated:

"After a thorough review of the Inspector General’s findings, I am immediately directing the Maryland State Prosecutor to investigate and prosecute any alleged criminal malfeasance that may have occurred. Given that in addition to substantial investments of state tax dollars, the school system receives federal funding on an annual basis, I am also referring this matter to the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland to investigate and, where appropriate, bring federal criminal charges against those who perpetrated this fraud and abuse."

The investigation's findings are upsetting to parents, teachers, taxpayers and even students. The report found high school staff, in some cases under pressure from administrators, changed more than 12,000 failing grades to passing.

Baltimore City Public Schools said in a statement: "The report issued by the Maryland Office of the Inspector General (OIGE) is a perplexing end to a nearly three-year review of grade changes in our school system. City Schools has shared gigabytes worth of data, thousands of pages of documents, and hours of interviews with OIGE to help the office better understand what occurred more than three years ago, before many of our current seniors entered high school.

Gov. Hogan went on to add in his release:

"Beyond the legal implications, there has been a clear moral failing by school administrators who appear more concerned with their own image than with the well-being of their students. Too many Baltimore City children have been denied the education they deserve and robbed of opportunities to thrive and succeed. This scandal has broken the bonds of trust between city officials and parents, students and taxpayers."