Legal Victory for MEA is a Win for Government Transparency and Accountability
In a decision issued this week, an appellate court addressed two significant issues that will affect open government and the public records law moving forward: whether text messages on private cell phones qualify as public records and whether officials who withhold public records but then turn them over during litigation can escape judgments against them and orders to pay for attorney fees. On both fronts, the court came down on the side of openness and transparency.
Embattled Natural Resources Official Fred Prehn Resigns
Nearly two years after Governor Evers appointed his replacement, Fred Prehn will finally step down. Meanwhile, a Dane County judge is considering evidence in a pending lawsuit MEA filed against Prehn for violating Wisconsin’s Public Records Law.
MEA Asks Court to Find that Natural Resources Official Violated Public Records Law
In a hearing today, MEA asked a Dane County Circuit Court to find that Fred Prehn violated the Wisconsin Public Records Law after it was discovered that Prehn had improperly withheld dozens of communications about his refusal to step down from the NRB. Judge Everett Mitchell indicated that a written decision would be issued soon.
Court Decision Allows MEA Lawsuit Against NRB Member Frederick Prehn to Move Forward
Today, a Dane County judge ruled in favor of MEA when he rejected a motion by Fred Prehn to dismiss a lawsuit against him. Our lawsuit asks the court to enforce the Public Records Law by compelling Prehn to turn over all communications related to his refusal to step down from the Natural Resources Board after his term expired.