Orange Beach Councilman Accused of Silencing Critic Amid Federal Records Dispute

Orange Beach City Councilman Jack Robertson, who was named as a defendant in an amended federal lawsuit filed October 22, 2026, alleging First Amendment violations related to a dispute over public records and social media restrictions. Photo courtesy of City of Orange Beach official website.

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. Orange Beach City Councilman Jack Robertson has been added as a defendant in a federal lawsuit accusing city officials of withholding public records and retaliating against a resident seeking information about a 2024 police response involving Mayor Tony Kennon.

Christle “C.C.” Dixon-Moreno filed a second amended and supplemental complaint on October 22 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama. The filing names Robertson, Kennon, and the City of Orange Beach as defendants.

The lawsuit centers on records related to a September 2024 police response at the city-owned Coastal Resources Building, where officers responded to a reported domestic violence incident. Murder Creek Media previously spoke with the witness who contacted emergency services that night. The witness described seeing a naked man physically assaulting a woman on the building’s balcony. At the time of the call, the witness did not know the man’s identity.

Audio reportedly originating from police body camera footage and subsequently circulated by news media captures a man inside the Coastal Resources Building identifying himself as Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon.

Questions have also been raised about the officers’ handling of the incident, including allegations that they failed to follow proper procedures and did not make direct contact with the alleged victim to confirm her safety. No arrests were made, and no criminal charges resulted from the response.

Dixon-Moreno has sought access to records surrounding the incident, including body camera footage, dispatch information, radio communications, vehicle location data, and personnel notification records. She also accuses Kennon of influencing the city’s decision to withhold information concerning his own conduct.

The city has cited exemptions for law enforcement investigative records in declining to release much of the requested material. Dixon-Moreno disputes that justification, arguing the incident was handled as a call for service rather than a criminal investigation. Her lawsuit maintains that no criminal investigative case was assigned and that the alleged victim was not formally interviewed but was instead contacted briefly by phone several days later.

On July 17, 2025, after Dixon-Moreno submitted her records request, the city initiated an administrative review that she contends was subsequently used to justify withholding records. Her attorneys argue that a review initiated after the fact cannot retroactively classify existing administrative records as protected criminal investigative material. They also raise concerns about Kennon’s supervisory authority over the police department responsible for maintaining records involving his own conduct.

The latest filing expands the dispute to include Robertson’s activity on Facebook.

On June 30, 2026, Robertson published a public Facebook post discussing the pending litigation, the disputed footage, and statements made by Dixon-Moreno. During the exchange, Robertson reportedly acknowledged having viewed the body camera recording, stating that he “saw the video.” He also discussed the City Council’s authority concerning the footage and referenced advice from the city attorney.

After Dixon-Moreno criticized his statements and attempted to respond, Robertson reportedly restricted comments on the post. A Facebook notice stated, “Jack Robertson limited who can comment on this post.” Dixon-Moreno maintains that she was prevented from continuing to participate while other users, including those criticizing her, remained able to comment.

Robertson subsequently blocked Dixon-Moreno from his Facebook account, according to the lawsuit. He is also accused of liking comments attacking her professional reputation, law license, and mental stability. The block was eventually removed, although Dixon-Moreno says she does not know when or under what circumstances.

Dixon-Moreno argues that Robertson’s Facebook activity constituted government action because he was discussing City Council business, pending litigation, public records access, and advice from the city attorney. Her attorneys also point to a June 18, 2026, email Robertson reportedly sent from his official city email address to a member of the news media concerning the same controversy.

Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon, whose involvement in a September 2024 police response is at the center of a federal lawsuit concerning withheld public records and alleged First Amendment violations. Photo courtesy of City of Orange Beach.

Kennon faces similar allegations involving his official mayoral Facebook page. Dixon-Moreno maintains that he previously blocked her or restricted her comments because of her criticism of his administration and reporting on city government. On July 11, 2025, she sent a written demand to Kennon and the city attorney requesting restoration of her access, which was subsequently reinstated.

The lawsuit contains five claims involving alleged violations of Alabama public records law and the First Amendment. Dixon-Moreno is asking the federal court to order the city to release specified non-video records, declare that her constitutional rights were violated, and prohibit future viewpoint-based restrictions on official government social media discussions. She is also seeking monetary damages, attorney’s fees, and potentially punitive damages against Kennon and Robertson individually.