http://www.lawblogs.net/go/ind-govt-espn-sues-notre-dame-over-police-records

 

ESPN has filed a lawsuit against the University of Notre Dame claiming the university violated Indiana's public records law by refusing to release campus police records.

The suit alleges that Notre Dame officials violated Indiana's Access to Public Records Act by refusing to release Notre Dame Security Police records requested by ESPN. The case was filed Jan. 15 in St. Joseph Superior Court.

 

The suit was filed on behalf of ESPN Inc., the sports media company based in Bristol, Conn., and ESPN reporter Paula Lavigne, who requested the records.

Lavigne in September and November 2014 made formal requests to Notre Dame for police incident reports and logs related to student athletes, but was turned down both times.

 

As evidence in the lawsuit, ESPN submitted two written opinions by Indiana Public Access Counselor Luke Britt.

Wow, has ESPN ever sued another university?

suing ND because your denied access to get dirt on athletes, wow that's some nerve. before ESPN goes down this road they better make damn sure that their closets are free of any skeletons.

the South Bend Tribune did as well, I believe.

common practice for any media outlet. nothing to see here.

common practice for any media outlet. nothing to see here.

 

Has ESPN sued any other universities?

I smell "Under The Tarnished Dome 2"...

Has ESPN sued any other universities?

 

Have other universities ever said no to them? I don't know the answer but I am curious.

 

Also does anyone have any idea what/whose arrest records the ESPN lady was trying to get access to?

common practice for any media outlet. nothing to see here.

 

Is it common practice with regard to private institutions? I don't know but would appreciate the viewpoint of anyone who does.

Has ESPN sued any other universities?

 

Yes. There was an article earlier and I believe spurned on by the FSU issues...ND along with a few other schools did not provide as requested. ND is claiming as a private institution they are excluded from a public records search. Nothing to see here...

Yes. There was an article earlier and I believe spurned on by the FSU issues...ND along with a few other schools did not provide as requested. ND is claiming as a private institution they are excluded from a public records search. Nothing to see here...

 

I'm not a lawyer, I know very little about law that doesn't include not letting cops into my house or car without a warrant, but why is there "nothing to see here" as you and PT have stated? If ND was to lose this case what would ESPN gain? What would ND lose? If nothing were to come of this then why would ESPN sue? I truly do not know the answers to any of these questions, any help would be nice.

A lot of the issue of public v private institution debate arises from NDSP. They call themselves a campus security force but they are actually a police force.

 

I think someone on here gave a good breakdown.

 

This is not a big deal, Espn just trying to flex their muscle so they can get access for future stories.

Is it common practice with regard to private institutions? I don't know but would appreciate the viewpoint of anyone who does.

 

Well, you don't need to sue a state institution in most situations because of sunshine laws that are on the books. Now, plenty of government officials try to skirt those laws, or outright ignore them, so that's where lawsuits come in.

 

My question is what part, if any, of the ND police force is obligated to obey the Indiana Access to Public Records Act. Because they're a private institution, they normally are in the clear to say "lol, no" if you politely ask them for something like a copy of Brian Kelly's contract. There's no other way to get a lot of that info unless you can make a legal case.

Edited January 21, 201510 yr by ColinKSU

common practice for any media outlet. nothing to see here.

this...

 

Yes. There was an article earlier and I believe spurned on by the FSU issues...ND along with a few other schools did not provide as requested. ND is claiming as a private institution they are excluded from a public records search. Nothing to see here...

 

and this...

So with all of the "nothing to see here" and "this is common" what is the bottom line? ND laughs this off, or ND has to pay?

Who cares? Its just a lawsuit for info. ESPN doesnt hate Notre Dame. They're just looking for a story and if their entitled to the info, Notre Dame should give it up. If not, they won't. Either way, a FOIA request is hardly anything to get your panties in a bunch about. Take some midol and it will be ok.

So with all of the "nothing to see here" and "this is common" what is the bottom line? ND laughs this off, or ND has to pay?

 

Pay what? They just give up the info if necessary.

Has ESPN sued any other universities?

 

Yes, in many of their investigations. North Carolina was one. They filed against FSU and Tallahassee Pd, but they ended up releasing the info. It's merely part of their attempt to get info for research.

In turn show your away games on CBS or Fox? Compete head to head with ABC primetime games and see who win? That would be my response.

In turn show your away games on CBS or Fox? Compete head to head with ABC primetime games and see who win? That would be my response.

The presiding judge would probably be very confused as to why your response has nothing to do with the lawsuit.

I'm not a lawyer, I know very little about law that doesn't include not letting cops into my house or car without a warrant, but why is there "nothing to see here" as you and PT have stated? If ND was to lose this case what would ESPN gain? What would ND lose? If nothing were to come of this then why would ESPN sue? I truly do not know the answers to any of these questions, any help would be nice.

 

Allow me to clarify my comment. The "nothing to see here" was based on the premise of further proof of anti-ND bias by ESPN. They filed suit based on a freedom of information act which I do not believe shows bias towards any school or individual. The suit was based on releasing arrest and or discipline records driven by the actions of FSU and their local police department.

Sorry if the context wasn't made more clear. Have no idea where the suit stands or if ND has responded. It is not a topic I have a great deal of interest and not following.