Council members plead no contest; fined

Three Century council members who were served indictments on Jan. 3 alleging noncriminal violations of the Sunshine Law were in court Jan. 24 in front of a grand jury, resulting in two pleading no contest and receiving fines and a third rescheduled for next month.

According to Jody Wright, with the State Attorney's office, Councilwoman Ann Brooks pleaded no contest to the charge of violating the Sunshine Law. Adjudication was with held she as fined $100.

Brooks was not available for comment about the outcome of the court proceedings.

Councilwoman Sandra McMurray Jackson also pleaded no contest to the charge. Adjudication was withheld, and she was fined $200.

"Mrs. Jackson's fine was higher because of her culpability in the case," said Wright.

Councilwoman Jackson said she had no comment about the outcome of the court proceedings.

Wright said Councilman Luis Gomez, Jr. did not appear because of medical issues, and his case has been reassigned until the end of February.

The charges arose after the three council members were present at a meeting at Century Town Hall last July that was not publicly advertised, resulting in a violation of the Sunshine Law. The indictment also indicated that the grand jury would "be convened to review various matters regarding the operations and management of the Town of Century."