Crisis manager Judy Smith, real-life inspiration for 'Scandal,' heads to Baltimore to offer support

CNN is reporting that the City of Baltimore has hired crisis management expert Judy Smith to assist with the Freddie Gray situation. Smith, who formerly served as a press aide with the Bush Administration, is the real-life inspiration behind the character of Olivia Pope on the popular ABC show “Scandal.”

Baltimore hires @JudySmith_ (the real Olivia Pope from The ABC show SCANDAL to help the city "navigate the crisis" & process of rebuilding

— joe johns (@joejohnscnn) May 1, 2015

#Baltimore brings in real life fixer, Judy Smith (crisis comm mgr whose story is basis for "Scandal") to assist with #FreddieGray case

— Ang (@ang_EP) May 1, 2015

The Real 'Olivia Pope' Judy Smith is in it now!! Very exciting development!! #Scandal #FreddieGray… https://t.co/jCmS1T68NW

— Bianca Watkins (@queenb_is_mel) May 1, 2015

Smith has previously worked with clients ranging from Monica Lewinsky to Kobe Bryant to Paula Deen. It’s not certain what her role will be in Baltimore, although both Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Police Commissioner Anthony Batts haven’t done their images any favors during recent press conferences.

The Baltimore Sun’s Luke Broadwater is passing along a correction to CNN’s report from the mayor’s office, making it clear that Smith was not hired by the city, but rather offered her support of her own initiative, much like another self-styled “crisis-manager” in town.

.@MayorSRB spokesman: "We did not hire Judy Smith. She stopped by to offer support, the same as Rev. Sharpton." No contract, no city funds

— Luke Broadwater☀️ (@lukebroadwater) May 1, 2015

Maybe cleaning up after Sharpton is crisis No. 1.

@lukebroadwater @jaketapper Comon @MayorSRB Sharpton did a little more than “offer support”. He actively prevented media from talking to you

— demonsheep (@demonsheep) May 1, 2015

@lukebroadwater @jaketapper @MayorSRB you stood there passive not speaking for yourself. In that you allowed Sharpton to speak for Baltimore

— demonsheep (@demonsheep) May 1, 2015

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Related:

Al Sharpton really didn’t want this Fox News reporter to ask Baltimore mayor a question

‘Seeing the irony here?’ Valerie Jarrett poses for photo with her ‘#Scandal bosses’