Fines for FOIA violation assessed

A Giles County judge Friday morning fined the town of Glen Lyn and the town's manager for willfully withholding a public document that a watchdog group had requested through the Freedom of Information Act. Giles County General District Court Judge Gino Williams ordered the town of Glen Lyn and Howard Spencer, the town's manager, to pay a $1,000 civil penalty to the Literary Fund. The town and Spencer will also be required to reimburse the group that sued — Concerned Citizens of Giles County — $500 in legal fees. (Judges have been extraordinarily reluctant to impose fines. This is only the 3rd time I can remember in nearly 15 years.) Roanoke Times