Baltimore’s top official overseeing economic development activity was temporarily suspended from his role Wednesday, according to sources in City Hall.

Ted Carter, the deputy mayor for community and economic development, oversees 14 agencies with a combined $1 billion budget. His portfolio includes housing, planning, workforce and tourism. The Baltimore Brew first reported his suspension.

Mayor Brandon Scott appointed Carter, who previously led economic and business initiatives in Ohio’s second largest county, to his post last winter. He reports to City Administrator Chris Shorter.

Multiple sources inside City Hall and in the business community speaking on background say he has been suspended for 10 days. In an autoreply to an email sent to his city email address, Carter wrote that he will be out of office from Aug. 17 to Aug. 29 and will answer messages when he returns.

City officials said they have questioned Carter’s ability to lead in his capacity as a deputy mayor. One called him an “HR nightmare.” They said he often will show up to key meetings unprepared, has mistreated and alienated staff and has had more than half a dozen assistants quit since his post started. Carter’s most recent special assistant, Ronald Stubblefield, resigned in June, citing burnout and aspirations to focus on work “that is truly more aligned with my passions for developing [and] advancing [diversity, equity and inclusion] strategy and programs,” according to a LinkedIn post.

When asked for comment, a spokeswoman for Mayor Scott directed The Banner to a spokesman for the human resources department. Communications officer Darryl Strange wrote in an email that personnel matters are confidential and did not answer questions about who is filling in for Carter or whether he was suspended with or without pay.

Carter is a member of Baltimore’s planning commission and also serves on the boards of Visit Baltimore and the Baltimore Development Corporation. He earned his MPA from The American University in Washington D.C., and a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University.

emily.sullivan@thebaltimorebanner.com

hallie.miller@thebaltimorebanner.com

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