Judge Rules Laurens County Officials Withheld Information from Public

Laurens County, S.C. — A shocking court ruling has determined that officials from Laurens County Council and the Laurens County Planning Commission have been denying the public their right to crucial information.

Violation of the Freedom of Information Act

On Tuesday, a judge concluded that **members of both the County Council and the Planning Commission had “repeatedly” violated** the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by a community group known as Laurens Residents for Quality Rural Living. The group is particularly wary about the potential impacts of a new large-scale residential subdivision.

What is the Freedom of Information Act?

The Freedom of Information Act is a law that dictates what constitutes public information and how the public can access it. Essentially, it ensures that the government operates with a high level of transparency.

Specific Violations Identified

According to the judge, **Laurens County officials** failed to adhere to several key requirements:

• **Improper use of executive sessions**: Officials did not follow correct procedures regarding when and how these confidential sessions should occur.
• **Insufficient transparency** on matters that should be made public: Certain decisions and discussions were not disclosed properly.
• **Irregular voting protocols**: The judge also pointed out that the voting procedures were not up to standard.

The judge’s ruling aims to call attention to these procedural deficiencies, hopefully prompting better governance and transparency in the future.

Stay Tuned for More Updates

This story is still developing, and we are working diligently to gather additional information. Stay with us as we continue to follow this important case.