University of Kentucky wrongly withheld documents from Herald-Leader, attorney general rules
The University of Kentucky violated the state’s Open Records Act by refusing to disclose documents that the Herald-Leader requested concerning a Hazard cardiology practice that UK once owned, the attorney general’s office has ruled.
The decision, which carries the force of law unless appealed in Fayette Circuit Court, is the latest in a half-dozen recent defeats for UK under the Open Records Act and the Open Meetings Act. UK President Eli Capilouto announced last month that the school would sue the Herald-Leader and the Kentucky Kernel, the student newspaper, to overturn other unfavorable decisions handed down by the attorney general.
“UK has made the decision that they’re not going to comply with the law,” said Thomas Miller, attorney for the Herald-Leader. “Whether there’s something to hide, who knows? I’m not suggesting that there’s any kind of impropriety. But the law is clear that transparency is required of public institutions.”
“I would also note that UK is spending a lot of money on lawyers to fight these battles,” Miller said.
Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article99542077.html