Politics
Maryland governor ordered to answer David Smith’s evidence requests by Oct. 26
An Anne Arundel County judge rejected Gov. Wes Moore’s bid to halt evidence-gathering in a defamation lawsuit brought by Baltimore Sun co-owner David Smith. The ruling keeps discovery deadlines in place while extending the schedule for briefing Moore’s motion to dismiss.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore must respond to David Smith’s written questions and document requests by Oct. 26 after an Anne Arundel County Circuit Court judge denied Moore’s request to pause evidence-gathering in Smith’s defamation lawsuit.
Judge Mark W. Crooks’ order, issued Friday, Oct. 16, keeps the case’s existing discovery deadlines in effect. The process requires both sides to exchange information and documents relevant to their claims and defenses.
Smith, a co-owner of The Baltimore Sun, alleges that Moore defamed him and portrayed him falsely by mischaracterizing comments Smith allegedly made about President Donald Trump and suggesting Smith had ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Moore has disputed the claims and argued that his speech is protected by the First Amendment.
In a separate order, Crooks moved Smith’s deadline to oppose Moore’s motion to dismiss from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18. Moore may submit a reply by Jan. 19, 2027, but the judge said it must respond to arguments raised in Smith’s opposition and cannot add new material or arguments.
The rulings leave the lawsuit moving through both evidence exchange and consideration of whether it should be dismissed. They do not decide the merits of Smith’s allegations or Moore’s constitutional defense.