Frederick City Council Member Appeals Ethics Ruling Over Data Center Legislation
Frederick City Council member Katie Nash was found in violation of ethics rules for using her public office to advance legislation beneficial to her private energy and tech clients, including Amazon. She was fined $1,000 and ordered to cease participation in data center and energy legislative matters. Nash is appealing the ruling in a Maryland state court, which has paused the penalties pending a decision.
Frederick City Council member and Vice President Katie Nash is facing an ethics investigation for allegedly using her public office to benefit her private lobbying clients, including Amazon Web Services and Vistra. The Commission found that Nash actively pushed for legislation allowing data center development in Frederick, even submitting a zoning change as "President, City Council," while being paid by energy and data-center companies.
The Commission unanimously ruled on May 11, 2026, that Nash violated three sections of the City’s Ethics Ordinance, marking her second ethics violation. She was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, cease participation in legislative matters involving data centers or energy, and correct her disclosure forms. The fine collection is on hold pending her appeal.
Nash immediately appealed the decision to a Maryland state court, requesting a pause on the order while she fights it. The Ethics Commission is opposing her request. The court will determine if the Commission correctly interpreted the law, if the evidence supports the violations, and if the "cease and desist" order was appropriate. Depending on the judge's ruling, Nash may be forced to stay out of energy and data center issues, pay the fine, and fix her forms, or she could be cleared to resume work on those matters. The case involves no criminal charges but represents a significant political and legal challenge for Nash.