What this journalist doesn't want reported
As a newspaper reporter, Stephen Speckman exposed how government functioned and the mistakes it make.
Now Speckman is asking for the result of one government mistake to remain hidden.
Speckman's attorney has sent a letter asking the State Records Committee to not order the release of a legal settlement between Speckman, his wife and the University of Utah.
Speckman's wife, Lisa Speckman, lost three limbs from a flesh-eating bacteria she contracted while under the care of university-trained medical staff. The university is refusing to disclose what it paid to the Speckmans to settle their lawsuit.
The Tribune has appealed to the records committee and has a hearing before it on March 12. In a letter to the committee, a copy of which is attached below, the Speckmans' attorney has claimed disclosing the money paid and other terms will invade the couple's privacy. The Tribune has argued the law requires government to disclose the public money it spends.
Stephen Speckman was a respected military reporter for Deseret News. He left the newspaper earlier this year.
On online search for Stephen Speckman's articles reveals he made regular use of the Freedom of Information Act and the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act.
— NC
Speckman1.pdfSpeckman2.pdf
Now Speckman is asking for the result of one government mistake to remain hidden.
Speckman's attorney has sent a letter asking the State Records Committee to not order the release of a legal settlement between Speckman, his wife and the University of Utah.
Speckman's wife, Lisa Speckman, lost three limbs from a flesh-eating bacteria she contracted while under the care of university-trained medical staff. The university is refusing to disclose what it paid to the Speckmans to settle their lawsuit.
The Tribune has appealed to the records committee and has a hearing before it on March 12. In a letter to the committee, a copy of which is attached below, the Speckmans' attorney has claimed disclosing the money paid and other terms will invade the couple's privacy. The Tribune has argued the law requires government to disclose the public money it spends.
Stephen Speckman was a respected military reporter for Deseret News. He left the newspaper earlier this year.
On online search for Stephen Speckman's articles reveals he made regular use of the Freedom of Information Act and the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act.
— NC
Speckman1.pdfSpeckman2.pdf
Labels: GRAMA, State Records Committee
2 Comments:
Would the Trib care about the settlement if it didn't involve a former D-Newser?
I want to wash my hands after reading this.
A husband has been fighting for his wife's life, and then for a modicum of privacy.
This is a misuse of the law. Just because we journalists "can" do something does not mean we should.
I am a professional journalist of 33 years experience. I use FOIA all the time. To see it perverted like this sickens me.
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