Louisiana reporter sues state department of safety over public records on law firm contract
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — A journalist for a Louisiana nonprofit newsroom is suing a state agency for access to certain public records.
According to a news release, Nick Chrastil asked the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections for information on WilmerHale, a private law firm the state has hired for specific matters regarding the Louisiana State Police.
Chrastil, who works for The Lens, reportedly filed a request to access public records in mid-March, and the state agency denied him, arguing the documents are exempt because they cover attorney work.
“The state refusing to turn over a contract for outside legal services sets a troubling precedent. Every year, our state and local governments spend millions of taxpayer dollars paying lawyers. The public deserves to know what they are up to and how much they are getting paid,” said Chrastil.
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According to the news release, WilmerHale works for the state on federal government issues and consent decrees.
On Monday, April 29, the Tulane University First Amendment Law Clinic requested a writ of mandamus in the 19th Judicial District Court of East Baton Rouge. If granted, DPS would have to provide the requested contract information and pay any attorney fees or civil penalties.
BRProud has reached out to Louisiana State Police for comment on the suit.
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