ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WBFF) — Some Maryland agencies have stopped providing answers to routine government questions from four news organizations and say they are instead sending their inquiries for legal review, citing a private defamation lawsuit filed personally against Gov. Wes Moore by Baltimore media executive David D. Smith.
The new policy, which state employees say was directed by the governor’s office, has extended to inquiries involving prisons, juvenile justice, child welfare, vulnerable adults and government benefits—matters with no connection to Smith’s lawsuit. The agencies have provided no timetable for completing the reviews or explained why a private legal dispute involving the governor requires additional scrutiny of questions posed to taxpayer-funded government offices.
HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND – MARCH 23: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (C) waits in a holding room before joining a roundtable on March 23, 2026 in Hagerstown, Maryland. Moore and McClain-Delaney held a meeting with Washington County community leaders to discuss their concerns about a planned U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention warehouse near Williamsport, Maryland as part of the Trump administration’s expansion of holding facilities across the country. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
The identical response has been provided to reporters for FOX45 News, 7News in Washington, D.C., The Baltimore Sun and Spotlight on Maryland:
Because of the current lawsuit from Sinclair’s Executive Chairman, David D. Smith, against the Governor, we’re sending all media requests from Sinclair-affiliated outlets to our legal team for review. We’ll get back to you once that’s finished.”
Smith, executive chairman of Sinclair, Inc., sued Moore on July 31, alleging defamation and false light invasion of privacy over statements the governor made during a June 16 television interview.
Sinclair is the parent company of Spotlight on Maryland, FOX45 News and 7News. Smith separately purchased and co-owns The Baltimore Sun.
Neither Sinclair’s television stations nor The Baltimore Sun is a plaintiff in Smith’s lawsuit. Smith filed the case individually and is represented by private attorneys.
Yet executive branch agencies have invoked that lawsuit in declining, at least temporarily, to answer questions from journalists working for those organizations.
Maryland Department of Human Services EmailPDF preview
Maryland Department of Human Services Email – Wednesday, August 12, 2026 (Spotlight on Maryland/WBFF)
It’s unclear why a private lawsuit between Smith and Moore is affecting how Maryland government agencies respond to our news requests.
It is also unclear whether state employees and government attorneys are spending taxpayer-funded time reviewing inquiries because of Moore’s personal legal dispute, and whether news organizations connected to Smith are being treated differently from other members of the press.
The Moore administration has refused to answer those questions.
Smith’s lawsuit traces back to Moore’s June 16 appearance on “The Weeknight,” a talk show on MS NOW featuring former Maryland Republican Lt. Gov. Michael Steele as a cohost.
While discussing an investigation by Spotlight on Maryland in The Baltimore Sun, Moore said Smith was “invested in by Jeffrey Epstein” and claimed Smith said the newspaper’s job is to “do Donald Trump’s work and spread his message.”
Smith’s personal attorney responded on June 29 by requesting a retraction or evidence supporting Moore’s statement about Epstein.
Moore’s attorney cited records concerning investments in Sinclair stock attributed to Epstein-related entities.
Smith’s attorneys argued that stock ownership in a publicly traded company did not establish a personal relationship between Smith and Epstein.
After giving Moore two opportunities to retract the statement, Smith ultimately sued Moore on July 31. The 12-page complaint alleged Moore, in his personal capacity, made false statements about Smith, including the Epstein allegation and Moore’s description of Smith’s intentions for The Baltimore Sun.
David D. Smith vs. Wes Moore: LawsuitPDF preview
David D. Smith vs. Wes Moore: Lawsuit (Maryland Courts)
Moore defended his remarks a day earlier in a political fundraising advertisement on X.
“A MAGA billionaire is threatening to sue me because I told the truth,” Moore said. “David Smith, the owner of The Baltimore Sun and Sinclair Broadcast Group, thinks he can threaten me and silence me with baseless legal threats not because I lied but because I spoke the truth about him.”
A link in the targeted X post directed viewers to Moore’s campaign donation page.
It is not immediately clear if the funds raised were earmarked for Moore’s reelection effort or a potential legal defense fund.
After the lawsuit was filed, reporters for Spotlight on Maryland, Sinclair-affiliated broadcast stations and The Baltimore Sun began receiving the standardized legal-review response from executive branch agencies on questions unrelated to the litigation.
State employees, who said they were not authorized to speak on the matter publicly for fear of internal disciplinary action and retaliation from Moore’s senior leadership team, told Spotlight on Maryland that agencies were instructed by the governor’s office to use the default language.
Those state employees characterized the directive as “excessively political” and a “misuse of state resources.” They also alleged that agency attorneys were not actually reviewing any inquiries.
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 20: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore stands as U.S. President Donald Trump enters the room during a working breakfast with administration officials and governors in the State Dining Room at the White House on February 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump met with a group of governors, who are in town for the National Governors Association winter meeting, after he initially invited only Republican members of the group, causing a backlash from the bipartisan organization. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
This development follows months of reporting in which Spotlight on Maryland, FOX45 News, 7News and The Baltimore Sun have questioned Moore and his administration officials about government spending, public safety and the state’s growing budget shortfalls.
Spotlight on Maryland has also pressed Moore for basic documents supporting claims he has made throughout his political and personal career regarding his military and financial records. In March, Moore’s spokesman said his military records would be released, but they remain outstanding.
The governor has repeatedly refused sit-down interviews to discuss his records and has not provided evidence to refute any of Spotlight’s stories.
Spotlight on Maryland asked the governor’s office whether the attorneys conducting or directing the reviews are taxpayer-funded government lawyers or privately retained counsel representing Moore.
The governor’s office was also asked:
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 21: Maryland Governor Wes Moore takes part in stage testing ahead of the start of the third day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center on August 21, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, and Democratic party supporters are in Chicago for the convention, concluding with current Vice President Kamala Harris accepting her party’s presidential nomination. The DNC takes place from August 19-22. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
David Turner, Moore’s senior advisor and communications director, refused to answer these questions after multiple attempts for clarity.
“We cannot comment due to the ongoing litigation,” wrote Turner on Thursday afternoon.
Spotlight on Maryland followed up with Turner, asking whether the governor had directed the standardized response. He denied the governor played a role but did not answer whether his team had issued the edict, as sources have alleged.
Do you have any tips or information related to this story? Send news tips to gmcollins@sbgtv.com or contact Spotlight on Maryland’s hotline at (410) 467-4670.
Follow Gary Collins on X and Instagram. Spotlight on Maryland is a collaboration between FOX45 News, WJLA in Washington, D.C., and The Baltimore Sun.
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