Agency criticizes records delay

By Lesley Stedman Weidenbener
lstedman@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Mitch Daniels' office took too long to produce some public documents sought by Democrats and his transportation department might have violated the state's public-records law, according to the state's public-access agency.

In an informal opinion sent to the Indiana Democratic Party yesterday, Public Access Counselor Karen Davis said the governor's response five months later to the party's request for copies of a contract and invoices "is not reasonable" under the law.

Also, she wrote that the Indiana Department of Transportation violated the public-records act if Commissioner Thomas Sharp deleted e-mails that should have been kept. She concluded that it is "likely" some of his e-mails met the requirement for retention.

She also criticized the department for failing to respond appropriately to a March request by Democrats to review documents concerning a proposed extension of Interstate 69.

Jennifer Wagner, a spokeswoman for the Indiana Democratic Party, said she's pleased by the opinion.

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