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Judge finds no contempt or bad‑faith in Michelle Previn video‑footage dispute; board staff praised for preservation efforts
Summary
A judge declined to hold the Erie County Board in contempt in a dispute over preservation of surveillance video tied to Michelle Previn’s case, and the court found county staff acted diligently in attempting to locate and preserve the footage.
The Erie County Board of Elections learned on March 13 that a judge declined to hold the board in contempt and found no evidence of bad faith in the board’s handling of requested surveillance video connected to a case brought by Michelle Previn.
Chairman Drexel read portions of the opinion from Judge Ridge, saying the court concluded the board "did not act in willful and intentional defiance of the court order." The board member reading the opinion also cited the court’s finding that both Julie Slomski, who previously served as the county council clerk, and Karen Shilcott, her successor, "did everything they could have reasonably done to obtain all the surveillance recordings" and provided them to the requester.
Why it matters: The court decision removes a possible contempt finding against the board and affirms that county staff conducted a good‑faith search for the requested recordings. Board members characterized the ruling as vindication of staff efforts.
Details from the ruling and board remarks • Timing and notice: The decision arrived within about an hour before the meeting; a board member read two sections of the judge’s written opinion into the record for the board.
• Court findings: As read at the meeting, the opinion said the court found no willful defiance of its order and insufficient evidence of bad faith to support the claim. The judge noted staff diligence in attempts to obtain footage from other agencies, businesses and county representatives.
• Staff identified: The court’s opinion mentioned Julie Slomski (former county council clerk) and Karen Shilcott (her successor) and also referenced Ms. Penzi and Ms. Warren in describing the search efforts.
Quotes "The court believes...the board did not act in willful and intentional defiance of the court order," Chairman Drexel read from the opinion. "Both Julie Slomski ... and Karen Shilcott ... did everything they could have reasonably done to obtain all the surveillance recordings," he read aloud.
Context and next steps Board members said the opinion will be attached to the meeting record and that staff will provide any further updates if additional requests or related matters arise. No formal board action was required during the meeting on this item.
Ending: The board moved on to other business after the legal update; members praised staff for their efforts to assist petition filers and other voters earlier in the session.
