Lawsuit Targets CSU Stanislaus Over Palin Records
Group Claims School Violated Law
POSTED: 8:49 am PDT April 16, 2010
UPDATED: 7:07 pm PDT April 16, 2010
UPDATED: 7:07 pm PDT April 16, 2010
TURLOCK, Calif. --
A group promoting open government has filed a lawsuit against California State University, Stanislaus seeking records related to a planned campus appearance by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
The lawsuit, filed by Californians Aware, also seeks a judicial declaration that the university violated the California Public Records Act.
Palin, a former Republican candidate for vice president who is now active with the tea party movement, is set to speak on campus in June.
Californians Aware alleges the university ignored repeated requests to clarify whether it has Palin-related records in its possession, instead referring the request to the CSU Stanislaus Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises money for the campus's scholarships, research and other projects.
"The university was given every opportunity to disclose the records before this suit was filed," said Kelly Aviles, an attorney for Californians Aware, in a statement. "Unfortunately, university administrators chose to deny the existence of those records. Now, instead of using public funds for education,
The lawsuit, filed by Californians Aware, also seeks a judicial declaration that the university violated the California Public Records Act.
Palin, a former Republican candidate for vice president who is now active with the tea party movement, is set to speak on campus in June.
Californians Aware alleges the university ignored repeated requests to clarify whether it has Palin-related records in its possession, instead referring the request to the CSU Stanislaus Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises money for the campus's scholarships, research and other projects.
"The university was given every opportunity to disclose the records before this suit was filed," said Kelly Aviles, an attorney for Californians Aware, in a statement. "Unfortunately, university administrators chose to deny the existence of those records. Now, instead of using public funds for education,
