BAY MINETTE, Alabama — Baldwin County officials delivered audio and video recording devices to federal court this morning, but are mum about details of alleged eavesdropping in courtroom hallways and stairwells.

Frank Burt, former chairman of the Baldwin County Commission and member of the courthouse security committee, has not responded to numerous requests about location and capabilities of the devices.

After repeated requests by Gulf Coast Newspapers, Baldwin County chief counsel David Conner today released a general listing of hundreds of cameras and capabilities of the electronic devices, but not specific locations.

Meanwhile, a group of defense attorneys will meet at noon tomorrow in Bay Minette to discuss potential invasion of attorney-client chats before or after court appearances, and consider legal options, according to Bay Minette attorney Danny Mitchell.

Mitchell said this afternoon the meeting may be off limits to media, but he plans to compose a press release after the meeting.

The Baldwin County Commission unanimously agreed last week to mitigate alleged legal repercussions of eavesdropping devices at the county’s three courthouses by allowing federal authorities full access to video and audio recording and county property in the wake of a perceived scandal involving attorney-client conversations and comments by citizens in range of the devices.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Department of Justice officials also were given a free hand to view or copy or take county property regarding the investigation with the signature of Commission Chairman Bob James.

James, elected in the November general elections,  said Tuesday he did not attend any hearings and would not make specific comments.

The federal subpoena orders recorded data from all county buildings, including probate and revenue commission offices.

County officials are concerned about invasion of privacy and the scope of audio and visual surveillance. Former District Attorney David Whetstone, who is on counsel retainer for Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack and Probate Judge Tim Russell, said the devices are approved by the U.S. Justice Department and are part of a purchasing listing approved by that federal agency.

“It’s not a matter of legally having them, but placement and how they are used,” Whetstone said last week.

Mack, who is in charge of courthouse security, said there are 200 video cameras in the three courthouses and 16 are equipped with listening devices. He said there was no “malicious” intent in activating them and that they are approved by the Justice Department and listed on purchase list for law enforcement use..

Conner said District Attorney Hallie Dixon confronted judicial and security officials Oct. 31 when she learned about the audio addition. She contacted the U.S. Attorney General’s office to initiate an investigation.

Whetstone has not reviewed the tapes and does not know their content.

The lack of specificity from county counsel leaves open parameters of use and accessibility of recordings by security staff, video and audio capability to isolate specific conversations or zooming in an inappropriate manner and guidelines for usage. It also does not address similar surveillance in other public offices or employee break areas.

The recordings are motion-activated, with a 30-day loop. Burt said eavesdropping may be illegal and costly to county coffers

Burt said he was concerned that the audio component may bring a “line” of attorneys suing for invasion of privacy.

Mitchell said some county workers expressed concern about audio devices in break areas, which may have been monitored by supervisors, resulting in dismissal or reprimand.

Conner released the following incomplete listing of cameras and their function this afternoon:

• Annex IV: 4 cameras, one recorded audio.

• Annex II: 5 cameras, no audio.

• Annex VI: Switchroom, one camera, no audio.

• Emergency Operation Center Switchroom: 1 camera, no audio.

• EOC standalone cameras: 2 cameras, no audio or video.

• Bay Minette Probate Office: 17 cameras, no audio.

• Fairhope Probate Office: 12 cameras, no audio.

• Foley Probate Office: 17 cameras, no audio.

• Robertsdale Probate Office: 6 cameras, no audio.

• Fairhope Satellite Commission Office: 1 camera, no audio.

• Fairhope Satellite Revenue Commission Office: 2 cameras, 1 recorded audio.

• Bay Minette Revenue Commission Office: 3 cameras, no audio or video.

• Foley Revenue Commission Office: 1 camera, no audio, no video recording.

• Robertsdale Revenue Commission Office: 1 camera, 1 audio capability, but no audio or video recordings enabled.

• Juvenile Detention Center: 45 cameras, 7 recording audio.

• Wilderness Camp: 93 cameras, 5 recording audio.

• Solid Waste Department, Magnolia Landfill: 6 cameras, no audio.

• Solid Waste Department Bay Minette: 2 cameras, no audio.

• Solid Wast Department, Robertsdale: 1 camera, no audio.

• Solid Waste Department Magnolia Springs Maintenence Department: 4 cameras, no audio.

• McBride Landfill: 4 cameras, no audio.

• Bay Minette Courthouse: 95 cameras, 16 recording audio.

• Foley Satellite Courthouse: 37 cameras, 1 audio.

• Fairhope Satellite Courthouse: 10 cameras, 3 audio recording.

• North Baldwin Utilities: 1 camera, no audio or video recordings.