ACLU: Public records laws need to be enforced

Photo by Lindsey Lerner
Photo by Lindsey Lerner

WPRO News and the Associated Press

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Attorney General Peter Kilmartin has distinguished himself from his predecessors by cracking down on violations of the state’s open government laws, filing more public records lawsuits than previous attorney generals.

But ACLU Rhode Island Executive Director Steven Brown says there is more to be done, citing nonprofit group ACCESS/RI’s audit last year that resulted in 53 alleged violations of the state’s Access to Public Records Act. The group filed 14 complaints with Kilmartin’s office in December.

Kilmartin’s office says these complaints are pending.

Brown says some agencies have violated the laws multiple times but have received warnings rather than being prosecuted.

Kilmartin says his office has a “strong track record” of upholding the laws, pointing out his office spearheaded the changes to the APRA in 2012.

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