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| Former Atlanta Press Secretary Is Found Guilty of Hindering Reporter | Former Atlanta Press Secretary Is Found Guilty of Hindering Reporter |
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| ATLANTA — An Atlanta jury on Thursday found a press secretary for former Mayor Kasim Reed guilty of two counts of violating the state’s open records law, encouraging a press corps that had felt stymied in its attempts to investigate local politicians. | ATLANTA — An Atlanta jury on Thursday found a press secretary for former Mayor Kasim Reed guilty of two counts of violating the state’s open records law, encouraging a press corps that had felt stymied in its attempts to investigate local politicians. |
| It was the first time a public official had been prosecuted under Georgia’s Open Records Act. | |
| Open records laws are an essential tool for reporters, particularly those who focus on government accountability. Many states have no criminal sanctions for noncompliance, though some have statutes that include civil penalties. | Open records laws are an essential tool for reporters, particularly those who focus on government accountability. Many states have no criminal sanctions for noncompliance, though some have statutes that include civil penalties. |
| The charges against the press secretary, Jenna Garland, were misdemeanors, and Judge Jane Morrison of Fulton County State Court set the fines at $750 per violation. But the verdict was considered an important victory for journalists. | The charges against the press secretary, Jenna Garland, were misdemeanors, and Judge Jane Morrison of Fulton County State Court set the fines at $750 per violation. But the verdict was considered an important victory for journalists. |
| The fines “may be a small amount,” said Ray Carter, general manager of WSB-TV, the local ABC affiliate. “But this is significant. It shows that you have to comply with the law.” | The fines “may be a small amount,” said Ray Carter, general manager of WSB-TV, the local ABC affiliate. “But this is significant. It shows that you have to comply with the law.” |
| State prosecutors had alleged that Ms. Garland, 35, frustrated requests filed by a WSB-TV reporter for city water department documents that were potentially embarrassing to city officials. | State prosecutors had alleged that Ms. Garland, 35, frustrated requests filed by a WSB-TV reporter for city water department documents that were potentially embarrassing to city officials. |
| In one text message that became public, Ms. Garland advised a water department spokesperson to be “as unhelpful as possible” about a request. In another, she told the spokesperson to “hold all” requested documents pertaining to certain members of the City Council until the reporter “asks for an update.” | In one text message that became public, Ms. Garland advised a water department spokesperson to be “as unhelpful as possible” about a request. In another, she told the spokesperson to “hold all” requested documents pertaining to certain members of the City Council until the reporter “asks for an update.” |
| The state attorney general issued the citations against Ms. Garland in February, noting that it was a misdemeanor under the state’s Open Records Act to “knowingly and willingly attempt to frustrate access to records that are not subject to exemption by intentionally making such records difficult to obtain or review.” | The state attorney general issued the citations against Ms. Garland in February, noting that it was a misdemeanor under the state’s Open Records Act to “knowingly and willingly attempt to frustrate access to records that are not subject to exemption by intentionally making such records difficult to obtain or review.” |
| The jurors took about an hour to deliberate before rendering their verdict on Thursday afternoon. Ms. Garland plans to appeal, her lawyer, Scott Grubman, said. | The jurors took about an hour to deliberate before rendering their verdict on Thursday afternoon. Ms. Garland plans to appeal, her lawyer, Scott Grubman, said. |
| Ms. Garland’s infractions came amid a tense relationship between the local press corps and Mr. Reed, a Democrat who left office in January 2018 after two terms. Mr. Reed was vocal and aggressive when he felt he had been treated unfairly in the press, occasionally blocking local reporters on Twitter. | Ms. Garland’s infractions came amid a tense relationship between the local press corps and Mr. Reed, a Democrat who left office in January 2018 after two terms. Mr. Reed was vocal and aggressive when he felt he had been treated unfairly in the press, occasionally blocking local reporters on Twitter. |
| A federal investigation into corruption at City Hall during his tenure has resulted in numerous indictments and guilty pleas. Mr. Reed has long maintained his innocence and has not been charged with any crimes. | A federal investigation into corruption at City Hall during his tenure has resulted in numerous indictments and guilty pleas. Mr. Reed has long maintained his innocence and has not been charged with any crimes. |
| Ms. Garland currently works for a marketing company. Mr. Grubman, her lawyer, said she was innocent because she had not acted with “unlawful intent” in communicating with subordinates. He also said the Open Records Act’s criminal statute was “unconstitutionally vague.” | Ms. Garland currently works for a marketing company. Mr. Grubman, her lawyer, said she was innocent because she had not acted with “unlawful intent” in communicating with subordinates. He also said the Open Records Act’s criminal statute was “unconstitutionally vague.” |