Party Photos Part of Laurel Council Candidate’s Facebook Page

Update 9:40 p.m.

The public Facebook profile page of Laurel council candidate Hayes Edward Ricks included photos taken at an "underwear party."

The photos were in a gallery called "Me" but they were removed from the public Facebook page after Ricks was reached for comment on the photos, which were brought to Patch's attention by the community. 

Patch published screenshots of the photos but removed them to clarify whether Ricks was featured in all the photos shown, some of which showed partygoers in masks.

Ricks said he had no reaction to the publication of the photos.

"Why would I have any comment? They're not indecent or anything like that," he said. "They're party pictures. Anybody has party photos."

In an interview, Ricks described himself as openly gay. He also said he did not feel the photos would detract from his candidacy.

Ricks, 66, served on the Laurel City Council from 1980 to 1988 and will be running for re-election on Nov. 1.

He is running unopposed.

Ricks, now retired, previously worked in the Family Division of the Superior Court in Washington, D.C. he hopes to raise engagement and awareness on domestic violence in the city if elected to the council.

In an earlier interview with Patch, Ricks said he has always been drawn to community service. He’s involved in public safety committees for the Laurel Police Department and the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department. 

"I just gravitated toward [community involvement],” he said earlier. “I’m a community activist.”

Check out other 2011 local election coverage on Laurel Patch here. Be sure to add us on Facebook and on Twitter @laurelpatch.