February 17, 2016 — Emails shared among some members of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries’ Commission violated open meeting law, according to an audit by the NC Office of the State Auditor.
The 10-page report addresses a number of topics brought up by legislators, including alleged open meeting violations as well as spending, gifts and donations and licensing.
The alleged violation of open meeting law includes four separate email chains dated in Jan., Sept., July and Feb. 2015.
The emails occurred between commission members. The audit does not identify which members, but it states they were reminded by the Commission’s legal counsel, Phillip Reynolds, of open meeting laws. They were also told to stop such communication via email.