Segelbaum v. York County
Case Number: 2022-SU-000516
Court: York County Court of Common Pleas
Clients: Dylan Segelbaum, York Daily Record
Entry of Appearance Filed: March 8, 2022
Background: In November 2021, Dylan Segelbaum, a reporter for the York Daily Record, submitted a request under Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law seeking a copy of the curriculum vitae for a contractor hired by York County to train and equip corrections officers. The contractor, Joseph Garcia, has been the subject of scrutiny for allegedly using questionable training techniques.
The county denied the request the next month, stating that it did not possess records responsive to the reporter’s request.
Segelbaum appealed the denial to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. As he reported in January 2022, the appeal prompted the York County officials to confirm that it had in its possession a 128-page document titled, “Verified CV of STL Garcia.” Despite the document’s title and the fact that it included letters of reference and copies of certificates, among other information, York County officials said the document was not a curriculum vitae and argued that it was previously adjudicated to be exempt from disclosure.
In late January 2022, the OOR found in Segelbaum’s favor. “The County has provided no basis for its narrow interpretation of the term ‘curriculum vitae,’” the OOR appeals officer wrote. He also rejected the county’s other arguments for shielding the information.
In March, the county appealed to the York County Court of Common Pleas. It alleges a deficiency in the appeals process at the OOR, as well as numerous substantive objections about why it cannot release the requested records.
Updates:
- On Sept. 6, a York County judge ruled against Segelbaum and the York Daily Record, finding the appeal moot.
- On Oct. 3, 2022, Segelbaum and the York Daily Record filed an appeal with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.
- On Oct. 30, 2024, the Commonwealth Court sided with York County, concluding that it “reasonably withheld” the 128 pages of supporting documentation tied to Garcia’s CV. The court sent the case back to the York County Court of Common Pleas to issue an order reversing the Office of Open Records, which had determined that the reporter should receive the record.
Co-Counsel: Jim Davy of All Rise Trial & Appellate
Filings:
2022-01-31: Office of Open Records final determination
2022-03-02: Agency notice of appeal and petition for review
2022-03-08: Requester entry of appearance
2022-04-13: Order scheduling hearing
2022-08-03: County memorandum of law
2022-09-02: Brief of Segelbaum and York Daily Record
2022-10-03: Notice of appeal
2022-10-03: Order directing appellants to file statement of matters complained of on appeal
2022-10-24: Statement of issues complained of on appeal
2023-01-17: Principal brief of Segelbaum and York Daily Record
2023-02-14: York County reply brief
2023-02-28: Reply brief of Segelbaum and York Daily Record
2024-10-30: Commonwealth Court opinion