Battle brews over official's e-mails

August 18, 2001

AUSTIN — A legal fight is brewing over an Arlington councilwoman's e-mails from her private computer that the attorney general says are public records.

City officials have filed a lawsuit claiming the e-mails aren't public records because council members conduct official business only during public meetings.

City officials also question whether the ruling would harm a balance between the public's right to know and privacy rights.

The city says the e-mails are not public records if they were written on a private computer and no city money was spent.

"This whole question of e-mail is evolving," said Arlington Assistant City Attorney Don King Jr.

Source: http://www.chron.com/

by Associated Press

«