Army not liable for disclosure of information on suspended officer: widow objected to release of fraud, suicide records
Article Abstract:
The US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled in Crumpton v. United States that the Army's Freedom of Information Act release of information regarding the fraud investigation and suicide report of Col. Crumpton did not violate privacy laws. Mrs. Crumpton brought suit under the Federal Tort Claims Act for emotional distress related to disclosures about her husband, who committed suicide while under investigation for fraud. The government argued that disclosure was proper because the public should be aware of such investigations. The court found for the Army but noted that it disagreed with the Army's decision to disclose.
Publication Name: News Media & the Law
Subject: Literature/writing
ISSN: 0149-0737
Year: 1995
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Restrictive police records access policy struck down
Article Abstract:
The Ohio Supreme Court found in State ex. rel. Warren Newspapers v. Hutson that the Warren Police Department violated the state's open records law and ordered the department to make records available between 8 AM and 4 PM. The police chief limited access to 10 AM to 1 PM after the Warren Tribune Herald requested a number of investigation and incident reports. The Court ruled that records must be available during reasonable business hours and can only include charges for actual costs that do not include labor costs. The Court also granted attorney's fees because the police's action was retaliatory.
Publication Name: News Media & the Law
Subject: Literature/writing
ISSN: 0149-0737
Year: 1995
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West Virginia opens incident reports involving juveniles
Article Abstract:
The West Virginia Supreme Court ruled in Ogden Newspapers v. City of Williamstown that the police were required to provide redacted copies of police incident reports regarding juveniles under the state public records laws. The Parkersburg News requested copies of redacted reports relating to a juvenile matter in 1993, and the Williamstown police denied access based on the law enforcement investigation exception to the public records laws. The Court found that providing copies with the names and revealing investigative information redacted would not impede law enforcement or compromise privacy.
Publication Name: News Media & the Law
Subject: Literature/writing
ISSN: 0149-0737
Year: 1995
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