LA PLATA, Md. – On June 30, the Appellate Court of Maryland issued a 65-page, published opinion in Coates v. Board of County Commissioners, et al. affirming the opinion of the Charles County Circuit Court granting a permanent injunction against Commissioner Thomasina Coates; and upholding the Board of County Commissioners’ 2020 Board decision that prohibited Commissioner Coates’ participation in any employment decision affecting County Administrator Mark Belton. Additionally, the Appellate Court denied Commissioner Coates’ other challenges raised in the appeal regarding the Circuit Court judge’s discovery rulings.
The Appellate Court sent an administrative matter back to the Circuit Court (called a “remand”) which upholds the judge’s decision denying one of Commissioner Coates’ counter claims; however, it orders the judge to fix a technical issue by issuing an opinion denying the claim rather than dismissing it.
Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins, II, Esq. issued the following statement: “On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, I want to thank both the Circuit and Appellate Courts for their thorough review of these important local governance issues. The Board respects the decision of the Court and will use it to guide any future actions.”
Acting County Administrator Deborah Hall added, “Any matters involving Mr. Belton’s employment status with the County are confidential and will be handled by the appropriate departments inside Charles County Government. Given the confidential nature of personnel matters, the Board will not make any public comments regarding this issue.”
The Appellate Court of Maryland will issue its mandate within 30 days. Commissioner Coates will then have 15 days after the mandate is issued to seek an appeal to the Maryland Supreme Court.
A link to the Appellate Court’s decision is located here: https://www.mdcourts.gov/data/opinions/cosa/2025/1623s23.pdf
Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 7-1-1 (Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258).
wait, she created a hostile work environment and was discriminating against an employee based upon race? Shouldnt she be removed from her position?