Garden City Gossip has filed a lawsuit against Augusta-Richmond County in an effort to force the release of records connected to the city’s ongoing Housing and Community Development (HCD) audit.
The lawsuit, filed February 11, 2026, in Richmond County Superior Court, was brought by the publisher on behalf of Garden City Gossip, following the city’s refusal to produce requested documents under the Georgia Open Records Act (GORA).
Records Requested, Records Withheld
The legal action stems from a records request made as part of Garden City Gossip’s investigation into the HCD Department and the city’s handling of federal housing funds. The audit itself was commissioned after Augusta was required to repay millions of dollars in federal rental assistance funds, raising questions about internal controls and oversight.
In a recent press release, city officials confirmed they had received a preliminary response from the outside auditing firm but said the audit was not yet final. The city has maintained that additional clarification is needed before releasing the report or related materials.
Garden City Gossip argues that audit-related documents already in the city’s possession are public records subject to disclosure, regardless of whether the audit has been finalized.
A Question of Public Right to Know
Georgia’s Open Records Act is designed to ensure transparency in government, particularly when taxpayer dollars are involved. The lawsuit asserts that the requested records concern the management of public funds and therefore must be made available to the public.
The complaint also underscores the timing of the dispute. With a local election approaching, public concern has intensified around accountability, transparency, and potential misconduct within city government. The lawsuit seeks to ensure voters have access to relevant information before casting ballots.
What the Court Will Decide
At the center of the case is a key legal question: can a government entity withhold audit materials simply by labeling them “preliminary,” or does the public’s right to access attach once the records exist?
A Superior Court judge will ultimately decide whether Augusta-Richmond County must release the requested documents and whether the city lawfully complied with GORA. If the court finds the records were improperly withheld, the city could be ordered to produce them and may be liable for legal costs.
