The publicity campaign that accompanied the latest enforcement action against the Gloucester Seafood Display Auction has become the subject of a federal judicial inquiry.
U.S. District Judge Douglas Woodlock has demanded affidavits by Friday from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to explain NOAA enforcement’s aggressively orchestrated media campaign regarding its move last month to try to force the auction to close for 10 days.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and attorneys for the auction yesterday declined to comment on the judge’s announcement of his inquiry.