Judge shows "willingness" to vacate Locy contempt order

In an unusual written notice, U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton has informed former USA Today reporter Toni Locy that if she asks the D.C. Circuit to remand the appeal of her contempt citation, he will vacate the order.

The appellate court is almost certain to do so — with no underlying case, no purpose can be served by a civil contempt order meant to coerce testimony, and appellate courts are loathe to decide cases where the issues are moot.

The action follows last week’s settlement of Steven Hatfill’s Privacy Act case against the Department of Justice, during which Locy had been ordered to reveal her sources of information on Hatfill.