FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION

OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

 

In the Matter of a Complaint by                        FINAL DECISION

 

Edward Peruta,

 

                                Complainant

 

                against                   Docket #FIC 94-172

 

Philip Dunn, Chief of Police, Rocky Hill Police Department,

 

                                Respondent                          February 22, 1995

 

                The above-captioned matter was heard as a contested case on December 13, 1994, at which time the complainant and the respondent appeared and presented testimony, exhibits and argument on the complaint.

 

                After consideration of the entire record, the following facts are found and conclusions of law are reached:

 

                1.  The respondent is a public agency within the meaning of 1-18a(a), G.S.

 

                2.  By letter of complaint filed with this Commission on May 31, 1994, the complainant alleged that the respondent violated the provisions of the Freedom of Information ("FOI") Act by denying his request for records.

 

                3.  It is found that by letter dated May 26, 1994, the complainant requested of the respondent copies of or access to the following:

 

                                a.  the complete tape recordings and transcripts of all conversations between former chief of detectives Joseph Corbin, John Kulick, JoAnn Williams, and anyone else present and recorded during any meetings between these persons at 37A Carillon Drive in 1991.

 

                                b.  the complete unredacted face sheets of RHPD case #91-4011, showing all parties who do not fall under the unanimous 1993 U.S. Supreme Court decision known as "the Landano decision" (no. 91-2054).

 

                4.  It is found that the transcripts identified in paragraph 3.a. of the findings, above, were provided to the complainant on August 8, 1994, and the records identified in paragraph 3.b. of the findings, above, were provided to the complainant in redacted form in July 1994 and unredacted form in November, 1994.

 

Docket #FIC 94-172                                             Page 2

 

                5.  The complainant argues that the respondent's compliance with his requests in this case were not prompt within the meaning of 1-19(a), G.S.

 

                6.  It is found that as of the time of the May 26, 1994 requests in this case, the complainant was involved in a federal lawsuit he had filed against the town of Rocky Hill ("the town").

 

                7.  It is also found that the town's insurance carrier hired the law firm of Halloran and Sage (attorney Gustafson) to conduct the town's defense, and that by the terms of the town's insurance coverage contract, the town had the obligation of cooperating with that defense as a condition precedent to the payment of any claim on the town's behalf.

 

                8.  It is found that in the course of the federal lawsuit, discovery requests were made and a protective order entered concerning the records at issue.

 

                9.  It is found that the respondent disclosed the records to the complainant as soon as the discovery matter in federal court was resolved.

 

                10.  It is concluded that considering the totality of the circumstances in this case, the respondent's delay in disclosure of the records at issue was not unreasonable, and the respondent is not in violation of the promptness provision of 1-19(a), G.S.

 

                The following order by the Commission is hereby recommended on the basis of the record concerning the above-captioned complaint.

 

                1.  The complaint is hereby dismissed.

 

Approved by Order of the Freedom of Information Commission at its regular meeting of February 22, 1995.

 

                                                                             

                                                Debra L. Rembowski

                                                Clerk of the Commission

 

Docket #FIC 94-172                                             Page 3

 

PURSUANT TO SECTION 4-180(c), G.S. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE NAMES OF EACH PARTY AND THE MOST RECENT MAILING ADDRESS, PROVIDED TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION, OF THE PARTIES OR THEIR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE.

 

THE PARTIES TO THIS CONTESTED CASE ARE:

EDWARD PERUTA

38 Parish Raod

Rocky Hill, CT 06067

 

PHILIP DUNN, CHIEF OF POLICE, ROCKY HILL POLICE DEPARTMENT

c/o Stephen Morelli, Esq.

Roggi & Morelli

2080 Silas Deane Highway

Suite 301

Rocky Hill, CT 06067

 

                                                                             

                                                Debra L. Rembowski

                                                Clerk of the Commission