Bel Air, MD – A Maryland court has ruled that the Cassilly Administration has violated the Public Information Act for the third time. The ruling orders the release of text messages from County Executive Bob Cassilly to County Council President Patrick Vincenti during a public meeting.
On November 17, Circuit Court Judge W. Michel Pierson upheld an earlier order from the Public Information Act Compliance Board. The messages were sent on April 16 before the Council voted on a $1,000,000 settlement related to a deputy-involved shooting.
Judge Pierson rejected the Cassilly Administration’s claim of executive privilege and emphasized that the text messages are public records. The court’s findings included dissatisfaction with the administration’s failure to provide the messages for review.
Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler, who initiated the original request, expressed concern over repeated violations and called for transparency. He criticized the administration for wasting taxpayer dollars in a legal battle to withhold public records.
Despite the court order, the Cassilly Administration has yet to release the text messages over 19 months later. This ongoing refusal raises questions about the administration’s accountability and transparency regarding public spending.
