Groups suing county get national grant

A national government watchdog group’s newly created fund has issued its very first award to two Sarasota citizens groups suing Sarasota County and the city of Sarasota. Sarasota Citizens for Responsible Government and Citizens for Sunshine claim both local governments conducted secret spring-training negotiations with the Baltimore Orioles outside of the public eye.

The National Freedom of Information Coalition’s Knight FOI fund provided $6,000 to both groups to pay for things such as court costs, filing fees and depositions.

County leaders say all negotiations have complied with the state’s Sunshine Laws.

Contact Robin Roy at [email protected].