Governor Wes Moore has come under scrutiny for failing to address allegations of misconduct within his administration, despite his repeated commitments to transparency. Moore’s office has not responded to inquiries from Spotlight on Maryland regarding investigations into state government actions, raising concerns about his administration’s adherence to its stated principles.
Since taking office in January 2023, Moore has emphasized transparency as a core value. He signed the Transparent Government Act and pledged to modernize government systems, stating in a 2025 Baltimore Sun article that his administration believes in “full transparency.” Despite these assurances, critics argue that his administration has not maintained its commitment to openness.
Del. Matt Morgan, a Republican representing St. Mary’s County, expressed dissatisfaction with the current level of transparency. He pointed to Maryland’s projected $1.4 billion budget shortfall following approximately $2 billion in tax increases enacted less than a year ago. Morgan stated, “They push out these ideas, and then they’re just not accountable.”
In contrast, House Speaker Joseline Pena-Melnyk, a Democrat, emphasized her focus on legislative challenges. “We are taking it on,” she remarked, indicating her commitment to addressing issues within the legislature’s control.
Allegations of misconduct within the state government include claims that officials devised a “scheme” to evade federal penalties linked to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Whistleblowers have suggested that data manipulation occurred to protect Maryland from financial repercussions. While Moore has denied these allegations and promised a public investigation, his office has not provided updates on the investigation’s status or findings.
In another troubling case, Spotlight on Maryland reported that an employee of the Department of Human Services billed taxpayers $400 for massages, violating procurement procedures. The employee allegedly instructed the massage business owner to alter an invoice to secure approval, stating, “Here is what I need the invoice to look like in order to be approved by finance as we do not pay for massages, but we do pay for a wellness activity.”
Despite numerous inquiries, Moore’s office has not answered key questions regarding these investigations. These include whether Moore is aware of the Spotlight investigation, his stance on the employee retaining their job, and the administration’s views on the use of taxpayer money for unauthorized purposes.
House Minority Leader Jason Buckel, a Republican from Allegany County, argued that spending taxpayer dollars on unauthorized services should result in termination, citing a state policy that mandates automatic dismissal for theft of state property valued over $300. Buckel noted, “If you’re spending taxpayer dollars to obtain a service or a good that’s outside the scope of your employment, that would qualify for grounds for dismissal.”
In response to inquiries about the investigation and the employee’s conduct, Pena-Melnyk admitted she was unfamiliar with the specific details. She stated that the government has processes to investigate and address wrongdoing, but she ended the interview when pressed for further details.
Recently, Spotlight on Maryland was not invited to a press availability with Moore, while other media outlets received notice shortly before the event. When questioned about this exclusion, a spokesperson for Moore stated that the Governor regularly engages with reporters and emphasized the administration’s prioritization of providing substantive responses. The spokesperson also suggested that criticisms of transparency do not align with the facts, pointing out that Moore has conducted over 80 interviews since taking office.
Despite these claims, the spokesperson did not address specific questions related to the Department of Human Services or the SNAP investigation.
As concerns about transparency continue to mount, the pressure on Governor Moore’s administration to address these issues and uphold its commitments is likely to grow. The implications of these allegations not only affect the administration’s credibility but also raise critical questions about governance and accountability within Maryland’s state government.
