Racine elected official found in contempt for discussing secret open records case

From JSOnline:

John Diedrich, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Published 5:50 p.m. CT Oct. 3, 2018 | Updated 6:13 p.m. CT Oct. 3, 2018

 

RACINE – A Racine Common Council member was held in contempt by a judge Wednesday for violating his secrecy order in an unusual records case that has been entirely shielded from public view.

Racine County Circuit Judge Eugene Gasiorkiewicz found that Sandy Weidner violated his sealing order by sharing court records with others. After the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported a story with details from the court records, the Racine city attorney asked the judge to have her found in contempt.

Gasiorkiewicz issued no fine against Weidner but said she would face $1,000 a day in fines if she violates his order again. An attorney representing the City of Racine unsuccessfully sought to fine Weidner $15,000 for the disclosure.

The judge ordered the city to tally its legal fees associated with the contempt case but said he would not require Weidner to pay them until an appeal in the matter is done.

The case stems from a request by Weidner to get records that were shared in a closed session by the city attorney. 

An attorney for the Journal Sentinel, USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Newspaper Association, Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council is seeking to intervene in the case to protect the right to examine sealed court files and to argue proceedings should be conducted in open court.

From: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/wisconsin/2018/10/03/racine-official-found-contempt-discussing-secret-case/1510984002/