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Media Alert: Roy Cooper Sweeps Under the Rug His Lack of Concern for Public Records Law

For Immediate Release

Attorney General Roy Cooper shows lack of concern for violations of state’s public records law.

Greensboro, April 1, 2008 - With the refusal of the Attorney General's office to address allegations that state officials have violated our public records law, it is clear that Roy Cooper is attempting to sweep under the rug his lack of concern for ensuring confidence in our democracy and the public's right to hold their elected officials accountable.

I, like the North Carolina Press Association, am concerned when officials prevent the public from accessing their government. It is even more troubling given the recent news that state officials instructed employees to delete emails and destroy notes in order to avoid to the public records law. The right to redress is among the basic ideals of a free and open government; however, this right is eroded when the public's access is stifled.

For more than two decades Roy Cooper has been part of the Raleigh political establishment. As a state senator, Roy Cooper once proclaimed, "Open government is the foundation for freedom."

As attorney general, however, when asked about the actions of state officials Roy Cooper's spokesperson said it would "inappropriate for the attorney general to respond."

Roy Cooper was right, then. He is wrong now.

Sadly, Roy Cooper would rather sweep this issue under the rug. Rather than ensuring the public's right to open and transparent government, Roy Cooper would rather look away and maintain his position among the Raleigh political establishment.

Instead of creating a bogus panel to look into the administration's e-mail and public records policy, we need an attorney general who will enforce the law and ensure the public's right to an open government is protected.

As attorney general, I will enforce all of our state's laws. Worse than having bureaucrats arbitrarily determine which laws they will follow is having an attorney general who looks away while the laws he has sworn to protect are disregarded by state officials. For too long, we have had too many career politicians playing politics with our government. It's time to stop sweeping this issue under the rug!

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