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JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri – Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced Friday that his office had obtained two consent judgments in Sunshine Law lawsuits launched earlier this year. The lawsuit against the Ray County Commission and the lawsuit against the Town of Fairview were filed in April 2021.
“Enforcement and protection of the Sunshine Law is an important duty of the Missouri Attorney General’s office, and it is a duty I take seriously,” said Attorney General Schmitt. “The resolution of both cases by consent judgment is a victory for the Office and for open and transparent government. I will continue to take action where violations of the Sunshine Law exist. “
The lawsuit against the Ray County Commission and Ray County alleged that the Commission failed to provide adequate public notice for several town halls in May 2020, and the Commission also failed to provide meeting topics. in their published provisional agenda. Several meetings where public notice was not adequately provided discussed the disbursement of federal funds from the CARES Act, as well as other important city business. The lawsuit alleged that the Commission violated the Sunshine Law.
The lawsuit against the Town of Fairview alleged that the Town of Fairview City Council violated the Sunshine Act and held several unauthorized closed-door meetings in 2020 to discuss and vote on several topics, including the impeachment of a member of the city council, the resignation of the city police chief and other important city affairs.
Under the two consent judgments, the Ray County Commission and the Town of Fairview are required to pay civil penalties and attend trainings organized by the attorney general’s office. In addition, the Attorney General’s office retains the option of seeking further remedies or legal remedies if the Sunshine Law is again violated.
The consent judgment in the Ray County Commission case can be viewed here: https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/consent-judgment-090821.pdf?sfvrsn=d19a6db0_2
The consent judgment in the City of Fairview case can be found here: https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/state-v-city-of-fairview-sunshine-law-judgment.pdf?sfvrsn=be239f02_2
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