LAGUNA BEACH

An Orange County Superior Court judge recently denied Mayor Kathleen Blackburn access to the Festival of Arts’ records and closed-session board meetings.

Blackburn, an ex-officio member of the board, filed a complaint with the court after being denied what she thought were privileges of her status.

But Judge John C. Woolley said he was wary about letting the “fox in the henhouse,” referring to a four-year rent battle between the city and the nonprofit organization. The festival, which says it pays Laguna Beach exorbitant rent--nearly $600,000 last year--is trying to move the 68-year-old organization to San Clemente.

See related story, B1.