Court Records Detail Richard Griffin’s Probation Terms After Disorderly Conduct Plea
Frederick’s economic development director received probation before judgment, two years of supervised probation and $557.50 in fines and costs.
HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW
Griffin pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and received probation before judgment; a judgment of conviction was not entered. Court records specify two years of supervised probation, treatment and education requirements, abstinence conditions and $557.50 in fines and costs. His attorney says supervision becomes unsupervised after completion of the alcohol education course. The report does not resolve his employment status.
Richard G. Griffin, Frederick’s economic development director, must abstain from alcohol and drugs, undergo substance abuse evaluation and treatment, and complete an alcohol education course under probation conditions described in court documents obtained by The Frederick News-Post.
Griffin, 62, pleaded guilty Monday in Worcester County District Court to misdemeanor disorderly conduct after an original indecent-exposure charge was amended.
Judge Cathi V. Coates granted probation before judgment, meaning a judgment of conviction was not entered. The court documents describe two years of supervised probation, $557.50 in fines and court costs, and transfer of probation supervision to Frederick County.
Griffin’s attorney, Thomas J. Maronick Jr., told the newspaper Tuesday that supervision would change from supervised to unsupervised once Griffin completes the court-ordered alcohol education course.
The new details follow the report of Monday’s plea and clarify the disposition and conditions.
The original charge arose from an Aug. 14 incident at the Lankford Hotel in Ocean City. According to charging documents described by the newspaper, teenagers reported seeing a naked man on a neighboring balcony.
Griffin 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 know others could see him.
Worcester County State’s Attorney Kristin Heiser said the charge was amended after prosecutors evaluated the facts and law and consulted with the victim. She said there was no written plea agreement and that prosecutors deferred to the court on sentencing.
Maronick said the change followed negotiations with prosecutors. He characterized the incident as Griffin being seen without clothing and said approximately 68 letters and other supporting materials were presented to the judge. A victim impact statement was also presented.
Questions about Griffin’s city employment remained unanswered in the supplied report.
The newspaper cited city handbook provisions identifying violations of law, criminal convictions and conduct unbecoming an employee as potential grounds for discipline. It asked city officials whether those provisions apply in this case.
City spokesperson Jennifer Gerlock said she was working to obtain an answer but would not have one by the end of Tuesday. Other inquiries about Griffin’s employment status had not produced an answer by the report’s deadline.
The court outcome and any city personnel decision are separate matters. The supplied reporting does not establish that Griffin was dismissed, suspended or otherwise disciplined by the city.
WHAT IT MEANS
The court records provide terms missing from the earlier account of the plea. Probation before judgment should be described accurately, and unanswered personnel questions should not be reported as proof that the city has either imposed discipline or decided against it.
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