Morris Resigns

Newly Named City Schools Administrator Steps Down Amid Controversy Over His Troubled Financial History

A Baltimore Sun review of dozens of court records showed a lengthy struggle by Morris to manage his businesses and affairs. Bill collectors garnisheed Morris' wages and bank accounts, and tried to repossess his cars. Creditors won judgments against him for rent payments, medical bills and homeowners association dues. In one case, a potential business partner said Morris walked off with $12,500 intended for a new venture. In another, a couple said he rented them a house he didn't own and collected their monthly payments until the real owner ordered them to leave. Morris said there had been a misunderstanding between him and the owner.

Morris did not deny he had financial problems, but he said they stemmed from his unsuccessful attempts to launch complex businesses. A real estate developer, Morris operated several businesses, including Legacy Unlimited, which was a part-owner in the building of the residential Zenith complex in downtown Baltimore, a project that dragged on for several years beyond its expected completion date.

In 2000, then-Mayor O'Malley appointed Morris interim director of minority business for the city. Three years later, at the time that Morris was trying to get the Zenith building under way, O'Malley and Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. jointly appointed him to the city school board.

Morris quickly made his mark as a board member. He used his City Hall connections to try to help then-schools CEO Bonnie Copeland, who said last week that he had "a nice Rolodex" that was helpful to her in getting things done in the school system. He was named board chairman in 2006.

Morris persuaded the board to do a national search for a new leader, then pushed it to hire Alonso. Morris, who has close ties to the governor, helped Alonso carry out his sometimes radical reforms for nearly two years.