Concerned that the "enemies list" revealed in the State's March 2 criminal indictment of Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold violates the political freedoms of the list's targets, the ACLU of Maryland in December, 2012, filed a lawsuit under a provision of the Maryland Public Information Act that prohibits the creation, use, and dissemination of government records containing personal information about private citizens without an adequate governmental need, as well as under provisions of the law prohibiting wrongful withholding of public information. The lawsuit charges that information was improperly collected and retained on Leopold's perceived political rivals or enemies, and that information was improperly withheld when requested by individuals who had reason to believe they were targeted. 

The original lawsuit, filed against Leopold as well as the County Executive's Office and the County Police Department, asks the Circuit Court of Anne Arundel County to order that all responsive records be produced. In April, the ACLU opposes efforts by the Leopold and the County to dismiss portions of the lawsuit. The ACLU also filed an amended complaint that sought to name former County Police Chief Teare as a defendant, following the County's release of audio interviews with Executive Protection Officers that implicate his knowledge of and involvement in collecting information for dossiers. 

LEGAL DOCUMENTS

OTHER DOCUMENTS

Documents Released Pursuant to ACLU MPIA Request    

Press Releases:

     

    Carl Snowden FBI Cointelpro files: Part 1, Part 2

    Attorney(s)

    Deborah Jeon, Legal Director, ACLU of Maryland; David Rocah, Staff Attorney, ACLU of Maryland; Sonia Kumar, Staff Attorney, ACLU of Maryland

    Date filed

    March 7, 2012

    Status

    Pending