SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (AP) -- A committee of Summerville Town Council has met behind closed doors to discuss a youth treatment center where several young people have escaped in recent weeks.
The Post and Courier of Charleston reported the committee met behind closed doors Wednesday to talk about the Palmetto Behavioral Health treatment center.
Public Safety Committee Chairman Walter Bailey said only that the panel discussed legal matters about the center.
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act allows councils to meet in private to discuss legal matters, but the newspaper reported the town's attorney was not at the meeting.
Bailey is a former prosecutor and says he was qualified to give legal advice.
South Carolina Press Association Attorney Jay Bender says he doesn't think that approach complies with the law.
The committee took no action.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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