Pugh Campaign Blames Miscommunication For Upset Workers

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It was a chaotic morning for mayoral candidate Catherine Pugh's campaign, after would-be poll workers created an ugly scene outside her headquarters, leading to one arrest.

Tracey Leong explains what unfolded.

Destruction of campaign property, broken car windows, and slashed van tires were the result of some confusion between Pugh's campaign and the community.

According to campaign spokesman Anthony McCarthy, some people who showed up wanting to work for the campaign on Primary Day had not gone through training but had received flyers telling them where to show up to work for the Pugh campaign for $100.

Because the campaign could not verify if they had gone through the training, they were initially turned away.

Many people who showed up to headquarters got upset after feeling they were lied to. Dozens of officers were called to the scene and one man, 53-year-old Jerome Tuggle, was arrested and charged with destruction of property after using a brick to break windows, police say.

The campaign now says that anyone who worked today, even if they didn't complete the training, will be paid.

WJZ caught up with Pugh, who says it was simply a misunderstanding that took an unfortunate turn.

"We finally got it under wraps and those people will be paid today. We'll be broke at the end of this but it's OK. I would rather see it go to the campaign workers and people out there who are unemployed who need an opportunity to work," Pugh said.

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