A judge on Dec. 1 ordered Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly to disclose text messages he sent to the president of the County Council, rejecting his claim that the texts were protected by attorney-client privilege.

The judge’s order is the latest chapter in a public-records fight waged by Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler. Gahler wants the texts between Cassilly and Council President Patrick Vincenti on April 16, 2024, as the council approved a $1 million settlement for the estate of a man shot and killed by sheriff’s deputies in 2022 while he was having a mental health crisis. Vincenti voted against the settlement.

The county approved the settlement to avoid a potentially costly civil lawsuit, but Gahler opposed it because local prosecutors and the Maryland Office of the Attorney

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