Hawkins v. Besson

Case Number: C-785392

Court: 19th Judicial District Court for East Baton Rouge Parish

Client: Drew Hawkins

Background: In December 2025, President Donald Trump named Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry special envoy to Greenland. Landry traveled to Greenland a few months later, a trip that was covered by news outlets in Louisiana. 

Drew Hawkins, a reporter for Gulf States Newsroom, submitted a public records request for financial records showing how much taxpayer money the Louisiana State Police spent on security personnel to accompany the governor on the Greenland trip. 

The State Police responded that the request was too broad. After Hawkins narrowed its scope, the State Police denied the request, citing exemptions that are inapplicable under the Louisiana Public Records Law. 

On behalf of Hawkins, Reporters Committee’s Louisiana-based attorney Virginia Hamrick filed this lawsuit alleging that the State Police violated the public records law by refusing to turn over responsive documents. 

Quote: “[T]he public has a right to know how much the Governor’s travels cost taxpayers,” the lawsuit states.

Update: During a hearing on Oct. 19, 2026, the court ruled in favor of the State Police, concluding that the requested documents are not subject to disclosure under the public records law.

Filings:

2026-09-30: Petition for writ of mandamus

2026-10-12: Memorandum in support of writ of mandamus