Frederick Economic Development Director Pleads Guilty to Disorderly Conduct

Frederick’s economic development director, Griffin, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct Monday in a case stemming from an August incident at an Ocean City hotel, according to The Frederick News-Post’s account of court records.

The plea was to disorderly conduct, not the indecent-exposure offense originally listed in the case. The report says the court’s charge and disposition section reflected that change after Monday’s proceeding.

Worcester County District Court Judge Cathi V. Coates presided, and the case was listed as closed.

Griffin was originally charged Aug. 20 following an alleged Aug. 14 incident at the Lankford Hotel. According to charging documents described by the newspaper, a woman reported seeing him on a balcony and threatened to call police before he went inside.

Police identified Griffin through hotel rental information and motor vehicle records. He told investigators he had been drinking before returning to the hotel and stepping onto the balcony to smoke a cigar. He said he did not intend to expose himself and did not realize others could see him, according to the documents.

In a text message to the newspaper Monday, Griffin expressed regret for the impact on the people and organizations affected. He said he intended to rebuild trust and repair relationships, and described wanting to move beyond the case.

Griffin referred questions about the details to his attorney, Thomas J. Maronick Jr. The newspaper reported that Maronick did not respond to a voicemail seeking comment.

The Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office also did not respond to the newspaper’s requests for information about why the charge changed or whether additional probation conditions were imposed.

City spokesperson Jennifer Gerlock said Frederick learned of the court’s disposition Monday morning. She declined to discuss individual employment status or personnel matters and expressed confidence in the city’s economic development team.

The report says Griffin has served as the city’s economic development director for more than two decades.

The supplied article begins on a continuation page and does not include the complete sentencing details. No conclusion about a fine, jail term or probation conditions can be drawn from that excerpt.