Reports: Former mayor wins open records case against Columbus

Former Columbus mayor Kristen Brown has won her open records lawsuit against the city. Our news-gathering partners at The Republic say the city will have to pay her legal fees and other costs in the action.

Judge Richard W. Poynter, of Jackson County,  ruled in the former mayor’s favor earlier this month, according to the newspaper.

The action stems from an alleged domestic disturbance in August of 2016 involving a married couple employed by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.

Brown filed the lawsuit in February of 2017, alleging that the Columbus Police Department and Chief John Rohde failed to document and provide her with information regarding that incident.

In a statement released today, city attorney Alan Whitted, said that the city released records in compliance with procedures set down while Brown was mayor. Since then, new procedures were instituted that fully conform with state law. During the litigation all of the available records on the incident have been released to the former mayor.

Whitted also said that Judge Poynter found that the city did not act in bad faith in this case.

The Indiana Public Access counselor had sided with the former mayor, opening the door for her lawsuit and holding the city accountable for her costs.