SALISBURY, Md. (WBFF) — A previously private dispute between Wicomico County’s two highest-ranking elected officials has reached a breaking point, sparking a potential public records battle over whether the sheriff ordered the county executive to stop sending his deputies sexually explicit images.

Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano and Sheriff Mike Lewis are at odds over the existence of a document that sources allege is a demand for Giordano to cease sending semi-nude, nude or pornographic photographs of herself to sheriff’s deputies.

While Giordano flatly denied that such a document exists, describing the allegations as a “horrific rumor” and a product of political malice, Sheriff Lewis confirmed the letter’s existence in an interview last week. However, he said he would not release it to the public without a court order.

The conflicting accounts have prompted Spotlight on Maryland to file a formal demand for records under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA). The county has thus far withheld key documents, citing exemptions for personal privacy and records being “investigatory.”

Conflicting narratives

The controversy stems from allegations that Giordano, both during her 2022 campaign and early into her tenure as county executive, sent nude or semi-nude photos to deputies in the sheriff’s office. Sources familiar with the matter allege that in October 2024, Lewis issued a letter to the county executive demanding an end to the behavior.

When asked about the situation last week, Giordano dismissed the claims as “false narratives.”

There was never a letter sent to stop,” Giordano said. “So, basically what happened was, there was a horrific rumor that went around, and that’s just what happens in a campaign, and so, we’ve moved on from it.”

Giordano said she and Lewis had discussed the matter and worked through it.

“We have a campaign coming up, so I think we have handled it quite well, and Sheriff Lewis and I have had those conversations,” Giordano said. “He seems to be, ‘I don’t really know where this came from, I don’t know why this happened,’ and that sort of thing, so we’ve worked together on that and sort of got over it together.”

Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office logo outside of its headquarters on Thursday, June 4, 2026. (Steve Pierce/Spotlight on Maryland)

Asked whether deputies who claim to have received the images were false or lying, Giordano said she knew of no deputies who had made such a claim.

“I don’t believe that there are any deputies who have claimed to have received any of them, at least not that I know of,” she said. “I know of none that have claimed to have received anything.”

It’s not something that happened,” Giordano added. “Again, just the sad side of politics, and it’s just a shame that people I think go out of their way to hurt people and try to create these false narratives and false rumors.”

However, when pressed hours after Spotlight’s interview with Giordano in Salisbury, Sheriff Lewis contradicted the county executive’s account. While declining to discuss the specific contents of the correspondence, the sheriff confirmed, “The letter does exist.”

Lewis declined to release the document voluntarily, saying, “I’m not going to give you a copy of that letter unless I’m ordered to by the court. And when I’m ordered by the court, you will get a copy of that letter.”

Meanwhile, the county’s legal response to Spotlight’s public records request proves the existence of the letter.

After the county initially failed to acknowledge a January request for communications involving terms such as “nudes” and “pornographic,” an attorney for Sinclair, Inc., the parent company of Spotlight on Maryland, issued a formal demand for documents.

The county attorney has withheld the contested records, arguing their release would constitute an “unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.”

Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano told Spotlight on Maryland on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at Salisbury University that she has not received a letter telling her to stop sending alleged nude photos to sheriff’s deputies. (Steve Pierce/Spotlight on Maryland)

When pressed, Giordano said she was aware of the records request in January but disputed that a cease-and-desist letter existed.

“I never received a cease-and-desist letter,” she said. “I would go on the record and say that the reason that the document didn’t get released is because it doesn’t exist because I never received a cease-and-desist letter from them.”

While the document in question allegedly did not contain the headline of “cease or desist,” sources claim the letter did tell the Wicomico County executive to stop.

Giordano also said she understood the sheriff’s office had consulted with the Maryland Attorney General’s Office and followed the guidance it received. The legal response from the sheriff’s office came from the Wicomico County attorney, not the attorney general.

Attorneys for Spotlight on Maryland sent a final demand letter to the sheriff’s office on Monday, signaling that a lawsuit will be filed if the records are not produced within two days.

Under the MPIA, while agencies may cite exemptions, those decisions are subject to legal challenge when the public interest in transparency regarding elected officials outweighs individual privacy claims.

A tense working relationship

The public dispute threatens a fragile peace between the county executive and the county sheriff.

Long-time Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis said on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at his office outside of Salisbury, Md., that a “letter does exist” when asked about a document asking County Executive Julie Giordano to stop sending photos to his deputies. (Steve Pierce/Spotlight on Maryland)

Lewis acknowledged that the relationship has historically been strained but claimed they have worked to put the “bad chapter” behind them, and he noted the sheriff’s office has secured funding and benefits for the deputies.

I have not always had a good relationship with my county executive,” Lewis said. “For the last year and a half, I think we both have worked very hard to get along for the betterment of Wicomico County.”

Lewis pointed to recent benefits for his deputies, including pay raises, disability benefits, retirement changes and vehicles, as examples of the current working relationship between his office and the county executive.

“Right now, I have a great working relationship, working relationship, with this county executive, and I don’t want to revisit the bad chapter,” Lewis said. “I obviously believe in truth, and if you guys obviously choose to explore other means to get a copy of that letter — that does exist — that’s on you guys.”

Do you have any tips or information related to this story? Send news tips togmcollins@sbgtv.comor contact Spotlight on Maryland’s hotline at (410) 467-4670.

Follow Gary Collins on X and Instagram. Spotlight on Maryland is a collaboration between FOX45 News, WJLA in Washington, D.C., and The Baltimore Sun.

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Md. – A Maryland man is facing arson charges after investigators say he intentionally set fire to his home Saturday night in Washington County.

What we know:

Investigators say 25‑year‑old Austin David Brown of Knoxville has been charged with first‑degree arson, first‑degree malicious burning, malicious destruction of property over $1,000, and animal cruelty.

Shortly before 11:35 p.m., firefighters responded to a house fire on Kaetzel Road and determined the blaze had been intentionally set. Neighbors told investigators the occupant, Brown, was seen walking away from the home shortly after the fire began. Deputy State Fire Marshals later received additional information, including security camera footage from a nearby resident, they say further linked Brown to the fire.

An arrest warrant was issued charging him in connection with the incident.

On Monday, investigators learned Brown had returned to the area and located him on Weverton Road before he ran into the woods. After an approximately 40‑minute search, he surrendered and was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where he is being held without bond.

The investigation is continuing.

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