BRIAN WITTE
Associated Press
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The president of the Charles County Commissioners has filed a federal defamation lawsuit against the county’s state’s attorney.
Susan Burke, an attorney for commission president Candice Kelly, filed the lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt against State’s Attorney Anthony Covington.
The case focuses on an investigation Covington conducted into Kelly relating to her acquiring a county employee’s tax form. The lawsuit says Kelly requested it within the scope of her powers as a local official relating to the use of county-owned vehicles by one or more county officials.
The lawsuit says Covington abused his power by “waging a defamatory campaign” publicizing an investigation into Kelly. Covington did not bring charges.
Kristen Ayers, Covington’s executive secretary, says Covington was not available Tuesday and has no comment at this point.
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