Browsing Tag
FOIA
by P.D. Lesko
On Nov. 21, 2024 the Ann Arbor Independent filed suit in the Washtenaw County 22nd Circuit Court against Supreme Felons, Inc. In Sept. of 2024, the newspaper submitted two Freedom of Information Act requests to Supreme!-->!-->!-->…
A2Indy Wins FOIA Suit: Judge Rules Background Check of Alleged Serial Rapist Hired as a Sheriff’s Deputy Must Be Released
by P.D. Lesko
In June 2024, using money donated by readers to the Ann Arbor Independent's FOIA Fund, the newspaper filed suit in the Washtenaw County Trial Court to compel Washtenaw County to release Sheriff's Deputy D'Angelo!-->!-->!-->…
How Did Supreme Felons, Inc. Spend $527K in Public Funding? A2Indy’s FOIAs Trigger Threat
by P.D. Lesko
Supreme Felons is not a public body and was therefore not subject to the FOIA pursuant to OAG, 1989-1990, No 6563, p 27 (January 26, 1989).--Billy Cole, President, Supreme Felons, Inc., in an email to The Ann Arbor!-->!-->!-->…
Judge Rules Against Washtenaw County’s Motion to Dismiss The A2Indy’s FOIA Suit
by P.D. Lesko
On Sept. 18, 2024 Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge Julia B. Owdziej ruled against a Motion for Summary Disposition filed by the law firm of Miller Johnson, retained by Washtenaw County to defend against the A2Indy's!-->!-->!-->…
Ann Arbor Independent Files Lawsuit to Obtain Background Check of Sheriff’s Deputy Accused of Sex Crimes
Note: The A2Indy FOIA Fund has taken in over $40,000 in 2024. The newspaper uses this fund to pay to obtain public records. This is the newspaper's first lawsuit against Washtenaw County for refusing to turn over public records.
On!-->!-->!-->…
A2Politico: Dunce Cap for AAPS Trustee Who Defends Playing on Social Media During Open Meetings
by P.D. Lesko
AAPS trustees are presently embroiled in a public debate about, among other issues, whether members should be forbidden from communicating with each other electronically during open meetings. Seriously? D'uh. The Michigan!-->!-->!-->…
Four Assistant City Attorneys Assigned to Fight Former City Attorney’s Request for Public Records
by P.D. Lesko
The Ann Arbor Charter states that, like the County, Ann Arbor shall employ a single City Attorney. There are, at present, a dozen attorneys employed by the City, plus numerous contract attorneys. Four of those twelve!-->!-->!-->…
Former Ann Arbor City Attorney Files Suit to Force City to Identify Staff Members in Report Used to Fire City Administrator
by P.D. Lesko
R. Bruce Laidlaw, the Ann Arbor City Attorney between 1978 and 1991 and an Assistant City Attorney for six years before that, sent an email on Feb. 25 to Ann Arbor’s Mayor Chris Taylor, City Attorney Stephen Postema and!-->!-->!-->…
SafeHouse Center Sued for Allegedly Violating Michigan’s Freedom of Information and Open Meetings Acts
by P.D. Lesko
1/22/22: This article has been corrected to include a legal explanation as to why SafeHouse Center is allegedly subject to the Open Meetings Act.
The Ann Arbor Independent filed suit in Washtenaw County's 22nd Circuit!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Ann Arbor SPARK Officials Refuse Request for Public Records That Show Where Millions in Public Money Went
by P.D. Lesko
Ann Arbor SPARK receives the bulk of its funding from governmental sources, including state and federal grants, as well as the Ann Arbor LDFA, a tax-increment financing authority that diverts money from public schools and!-->!-->!-->…