Case Document 118 Filed 09/10/19 Page 1 of 3
Case Document 117 Filed 09(09/19 Page 1 of 3

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
No.: 

BRUCE A. HAKE, et al., 


Plaintiffs, 



v. 


CARROLL COUNTY, Maryland, by its Board 
of County Commissioners 


Defendant. 

CONSENT DECREE

1. Procedural Background: On May 1, 2013, Plaintiffs ?led their veri?ed complaint
and a motion for a preliminary injunction. (ECF Docs. 1 2). On June 10, 2013, Plaintiffs ?led
an amended complaint (Doc. 12) challenging Defendant?s policy of opening Carroll County Board
of Commission meetings with Commissioner-led sectarian Christian prayers.

2. Jurisdiction: Plaintiffs have standing to bring their claims, and the Court has
jurisdiction to hear Plaintiffs? claims under 412 U.S.C. 1983.

3. Parties: This Consent Decree is entered into between the American Humanist
Association, Bruce A. Hake, Cornelius M. Ridgely, Lauren Graybill, and Judy Smith (?Plaintiffs?)
and the Carroll County Board of Commissioners (?Defendant?) collectively referred to as ?the
Parties.? The Parties agree'to compromise, resolve, and discharge all claims in this action based
on the terms and conditions set forth in this Enforceable Settlement Agreement.

Disposition of the Case

It is hereby ORDERED, ADJ UDGED, and DECREED:

4. The following de?nitions shall apply to this Consent Decree:

 

Case Document 118 Filed 09/10/19 Page 2 of 3
Case Document 117 Filed 09/09/19 Page 2 of 3

a. ?Prayer? means a verbal communication with a purported deity or deities that
seeks guidance, assistance or intervention of any kind, or a blessing. ?Prayer?
does not include brief customary expressions or greetings such as ?God Bless
You,? ?Thank God!? or ?Thank Heavens!? Prayer does not include a moment
of silence or secular invocation.

b. ?Public Meeting? means any meeting of the Carroll County Board of

Commissioners that is open to the public. It includes actions of the Board that
occur before the gavel falls.

5. Defendant shall pay nominal damages in the amount of $1.00 to each Plaintiff for
the violations of Plaintiffs? rights under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S.
Constitution.

6. Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1988, Defendant shall pay Plaintiffs? attorneys
$125,000.00 within 60 days.

7. In keeping with the holding of the Fourth Circuit in Lund v. Rowan County, 863 F.
3d 268 (4th Cir. 2017), Defendant is enjoined from knowingly, intentionally, or negligently: 
allowing any prayer to be delivered by a public of?cial or public employee at any public meeting;
(ii) requesting, encouraging, or signaling audience members to stand or otherwise participate in
prayer at public meetings; and promoting prayer in of?cial policies and practices of the
Defendant, including in the Defendant?s ?Ten Governing Principles.? Defendant may open public
meetings with a moment of silence. Any policy that modi?es this injunction must be approved by

the Court by way of a properly??led motion to modify the injunction under this docket.

SO ORDERED, on this ?ay of 2019

Maelsivajt

Ellen-LFI-Ie-l-l-andcr, U.S. District-Court Judge

game #1 . @Ma?qw

2

 

Case Document 118 Filed 09/10/19 Page 3 of 3

Case Document 117 Filed 09/09!19 Page 3 of 3

By the undersigned signatures, all Parties agree to the entry of this Order

Date: September 9, 2019

s/ Timothy C. Burke

Timothy C. Burke

County Attorney, Carroll County
225 North Center St.
Westminster, MD 21157

For Defendants

5/ David C. Gibbs 
David C. Gibbs 
Gibbs Law Firm PA
2650 FM 407 Ste 255
Bartonville, TX 76226
For Defendants

5/ Monica L. Miller

Monica L. Miller

American Humanist Association
1821 Jefferson P1. NW
Washington, DC, 20036

For Plaintiffs