Breaking: Democratic mayor of Baltimore resigns over corruption scandal — about kids' books

Catherine Pugh, the Democratic mayor of Baltimore, Maryland, resigned on Thursday after battling accusations of corruption in relation to suspicious purchases of her children's books.

Pugh released a statement that was read to the media by her attorney.

"Dear citizens of Baltimore, I would like to thank you for allowing me to serve as the 50th mayor. It has been an honor and a privilege," the statement read.

"Today I am submitting my resignation to the Baltimore City Council," she continued. "I am sorry for the harm that I have caused to the image of the city of Baltimore, and to the credibility of the office of the mayor."

Pugh has faced a growing chorus of calls for her resignation after the Baltimore Sun reported on suspicious business dealings that appeared to improperly benefit the mayor.

She earned hundreds of dollars over sales of her children's books meant to encourage healthy behavior, but some of those appeared to be by entities that she had political power to influence.

Pugh initially denied the claims, but a turning point came when IRS and FBI agents raided her homes and offices. Maryland's governor called for her resignation soon after.

One reported indicated that hundreds of boxes of the unused books were abandoned in a storage facility.

Here's the latest in the Pugh resignation:

Embattled Baltimore Mayor Pugh resigns amid scandalswww.youtube.com