R.I. Judge: Records Public But Agency Not Required to Disclose Them

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A Rhode Island judge ruled that the addresses of commercial fisherman are public record, then said the Department of Environmental Management doesn’t have to provide that information in response to a request from the Fishermen’s Alliance. “Rhode Island law is clear that the sole public interest in disclosure under the [records law] is allowing the public to have access to the inner workings of government agencies,” said Superior Court Judge Gilbert V. Indeglia, adding that a list of addresses “will provide little or no insight into the performance of the DEM.” (5/7/07)