Newspaper Publisher Arrested After Open Records Request

[Eugene]

1. Judge in Open Records Dispute Resigns From Watchdog Agency

Source: Associated Press

Judge in Open Records Dispute Resigns From Watchdog Agency

By KATE BRUMBACK, ASSOCIATED PRESS ATLANTA — Aug 12, 2016, 4:55 PM ET

A Georgia superior court judge who was criticized for her involvement in the indictment and arrest of a journalist and his attorney has resigned as a member and chair of the state agency that investigates allegations of wrongdoing by judges.

Judge Brenda Weaver on Friday sent an email to other Judicial Qualifications Commission members to notify them of her resignation.

Fannin Focus publisher Mark Thomason and attorney Russell Stookey were indicted June 24. The charges were later dropped. The case stemmed from a legal battle with a court reporter over the release of an audio recording and the payment of the court reporter's legal bills from a court account.

Weaver didn't specifically mention the controversy in her email but said no one should distract from the commission's duties and responsibilities.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/judge-open-records-dispute-resigns-watchdog-agency-41340209