Frederick Economic Development Director Faces Indecent Exposure Charge

Richard Griffin, Frederick’s director of economic development, has been charged with one misdemeanor count of indecent exposure following an alleged August incident at an Ocean City hotel, according to The Frederick News-Post. Griffin denied intentionally exposing himself when speaking with police, according to charging documents described in the newspaper’s report. His attorney, Thomas Maronick Jr., said the case had not gone to trial and that Griffin has defenses he intends to present in court. The city confirmed Griffin was on leave but did not identify the type of leave or say whether it was connected to the charge. The allegation concerns an Aug. 14 incident at the Lankford Hotel. According to the News-Post’s account of charging documents, teenagers staying in a neighboring room and an adult woman told police they saw Griffin exposed on a balcony. Police identified Griffin using hotel rental information and motor vehicle records, the newspaper reported. In a later telephone conversation with police, Griffin said he had gone onto the balcony to smoke a cigar after drinking at bars. He said he did not realize another balcony overlooked his and did not see anyone nearby when he went outside, according to the report. Griffin told police he remembered a woman yelling at him and that he went inside. He denied intentional exposure and said he was sorry he had offended her. Griffin declined to discuss the case with the News-Post, referring questions to Maronick. The attorney declined to address specific evidence but said the defense looked forward to presenting its case. According to the newspaper’s review of court records, a summons was issued Aug. 20. Maronick subsequently filed motions seeking dismissal of the charging document and suppression or exclusion of evidence. The report listed a trial for 9 a.m. Oct. 26 in Worcester County District Court. Griffin has led Frederick’s economic development department for more than two decades. His responsibilities also include oversight of downtown parking, Frederick Municipal Airport and the Weinberg Center for the Arts, according to the report. In a statement to the newspaper, the city said it takes the allegations seriously, will allow the legal process to proceed and will evaluate whether further action is warranted. City officials also confirmed Griffin was registered for the Maryland Association of Counties Summer Conference in Ocean City, held Aug. 12–15. At the time of the report, officials were still determining which expenses the city had paid or reimbursed for his attendance. The News-Post reported filing public records requests for conference expenses and additional police investigative records. The charge is an allegation, and Griffin is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.