MEDIA ADVISORY

Mayor: Jennifer P. Dougherty

CONTACT: Nancy Gregg Poss, Public Information Officer, 301-360-3842

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, January 30, 2004

MAYOR DOUGHERTY COMMENTS ON “BLACK BOOK” COURT OF SPECIAL APPEALS OPINION

Frederick, Md. --- The following is a statement prepared by City of Frederick Mayor Jennifer P. Dougherty:

Two courts in Maryland, the Circuit Court of Frederick County and the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland, have both ruled in the City of Frederick v. Randall Family (Frederick News Post, City of Frederick v. Daniel A. Trey (aka "The Black Book") case and concur that the City of Frederick is required under the Maryland Public Information Act to release the records found within the Black Book. Today’s opinion from the Court of Special Appeals ruled that the release of records must include all information contained within the Black Book.

Consequently our attorneys of record, insurance defense appointed Howard Schulman, and our insurance company representatives are currently reviewing the opinion, and I will refrain from making extensive comments at this time. I will reiterate that I was advised to continue with the appeal by our counsel in order to reduce the City's exposure to financial loss. I have never changed my opinion that the release of the documents was in the best public interest.