Judge: Gov. Martinez Violated Public Records Law, Not Constitution
In a 65-page ruling handed down Thursday afternoon, state District Judge Sarah Singleton ruled that the governor violated no constitutional provisions in limiting the access of SFR (Santa Fe Reporter) to her administration. Susana Martinez' staff, however, did break the law three times in its tardy or non-existent responses to public records requests.
The long-awaited ruling, which comes after a three-day bench trial in March, presented a mixed bag, both for the newspaper and for the governor, who is entering her final year in office.
SFR filed suit in 2013, claiming the governor discriminated against the newspaper in retaliation for critical coverage, and that her office violated the Inspection of Public Records Act.
Reached Thursday evening, SFR attorney Dan Yohalem said he is reviewing the ruling and will meet with the newspaper to discuss the next steps. SFR Editor and Publisher Julie Ann Grimm said she was waiting to meet with the paper's attorneys before commenting.
Read more: http://www.sfreporter.com/news/2017/12/14/judge-gov-martinez-violated-public-records-law-not-constitution/
