Responding to a federal judge’s full disclosure order, the regional chief of federal fisheries law enforcement admitted in a sworn affidavit yesterday he briefed the The Boston Globe about a legal action aimed at closing the Gloucester Seafood Display Auction four hours before the auction itself was notified.
The nature and circumstances surrounding the media relations conducted by Special Agent Andrew Cohen and other law enforcement and communications officials of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to get out the word about a NOAA-planned temporary shutdown of the Gloucester Seafood Display Auction last month triggered the judicial inquiry into allegations of vindictive motives.
The case against the auction and the inquiry into NOAA law enforcement’s motives are docketed for arguments and possible resolution Monday in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Douglas Woodlock.