Maybe city officials really DID misplace/disregard subpoenas that originally arrived in their offices in November. Subpoenas! From the state prosecutor! But if they can lose your tax-assessment appeal, maybe they can lose a solemn demand for evidence from a high law enforcement authority. Whatever the reason for the delay, it could have threatened the integrity of the evidence at the Finance Department and Board of Estimates.

From today's story on new (sort of) subpoenas at City Hall by John Fritze:

City officials said the subpoenas were served in November but did not reach Mayor Sheila Dixon's Finance Department or the offices of the Board of Estimates until this week because of a mistake by city officials. Their existence has not previously been disclosed publicly.

City Solicitor George Nilson said the subpoenas were issued in tandem with a subpoena served on the Baltimore Development Corp., the city's development agency. Though he did not disclose their contents, Nilson said all three subpoenas seek similar information.