Board enters closed session on opioid distributor litigation, later certifies discussion

The Amherst County Board of Supervisors entered a closed session on March 18 to consult with legal counsel about pending litigation related to an opioid distributor and subsequently certified that the closed session had complied with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act exemption cited by the board.

Supervisor Martin moved the board into closed session for the limited purpose of consultation with legal counsel pertaining to actual litigation, stating the session was authorized under Section 2.2-3711(A)(7) of the Code of Virginia "regarding an opioid distributor." The board recessed into closed session following an affirmative voice vote.

After returning to open session, Supervisor Martin moved a certification by recorded vote that, to the best of each board member's knowledge, only public-business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements and identified in the authorizing motion were discussed. The board approved the certification by recorded vote; the transcript shows those recorded as voting "aye." The chair then adjourned the meeting.

No further details about the litigation were disclosed in open session; the county attorney said the hearing date for the related case is set for May and that the attorney will keep the board informed as the process proceeds.