FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

 

The above-captioned matter was heard as a contested case on December 17, 2007, at which time the complainant and the respondent appeared, stipulated to certain facts and presented testimony, exhibits and argument on the complaint.  Peter Sevetz, a captain of the Simsbury Police Department, moved without objection to intervene as party respondent.  Mr. Sevetz was granted party status, having satisfied the requirements of  §1-21j-30 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

 

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 §1-200(1), G.S.

 

2.      It is found that by letter dated August 6, 2007, the complainant requested copies of “any and all records of all Internal Affairs or equivalent Administrative investigations conducted by the Simsbury and/or West Hartford Police Department wherein the subject of the investigation was wholly, or in part, Captain Peter Sevetz.”

 

3.      It is found that by letter dated August 7, 2007, the respondent chief acknowledged the complainant’s request, but refused to provide copies of the records, because the investigation was still pending.  The chief promised to notify the complainant in writing when the investigation was complete.

 

4.      It is found that in subsequent correspondence between the complainant and the Chief of Police, the parties disputed whether the investigation was complete.

 

5.      It is found that by letter dated August 20, 2007 and filed August 22, 2007, the complainant appealed to this Commission, alleging that the respondent violated the Freedom of Information (“FOI”) Act by failing to provide copies of the records described in paragraph 2, above.

 

6.      It is found that by letter dated August 27, 2007, the chief informed the complainant that although the investigation was now complete, he denied the complainant’s request for copies because disclosure of the Internal Affairs report would be an invasion of Captain Sevetz’s personal privacy.  The chief also asserted that the FOI Act did not require disclosure of the records because they contain uncorroborated allegations of criminal activity.

 

7.      Section 1-200(5), G.S., defines “public records or files” as:

 

Any recorded data or information relating to the conduct of the public’s business prepared, owned, used, received or retained by a public agency … whether such data or information be handwritten, typed, tape-recorded, printed, photostated, photographed or recorded by any other method.

 

8.   Section 1-210(a), G.S., provides in relevant part that: 

 

Except as otherwise provided by any federal law or state statute, all records maintained or kept on file by any public agency, whether or not such records are required by any law or by any rule or regulation, shall be public records and every person shall have the right to . . .  receive a copy of such records in accordance with section 1-212.

 

9.      Section 1-212(a), G.S., provides in relevant part that “any person applying in writing shall receive, promptly upon request, a plain or certified copy of any public record.”

 

10.   It is found that the records described in paragraph 2, above, are public records within the meaning of §§1-200(5) and 1-210(a), G.S.

 

11.   Section 1-210(b)(2), G.S., provides in relevant part that nothing in the FOI Act shall require the disclosure of  “personnel or medical files and similar files the disclosure of which would constitute an invasion of personal privacy. . . .”

 

12.  Section 1-214(b), G.S., provides in relevant part: 

 

 “Whenever a public agency receives a request to inspect or copy records contained in any of its employees’ personnel or medical files and similar files and the agency reasonably believes that the disclosure of such records would legally constitute an invasion of privacy, the agency shall immediately notify in writing (1) each employee concerned . . . and (2) the collective bargaining representative, if any, of each employee concerned.  Nothing herein shall require an agency to withhold from disclosure the contents of personnel or medical files and similar files when it does not reasonably believe that such disclosure would legally constitute an invasion of personal privacy.

 

13.   Section 1-214(c), G.S. provides in relevant part:

 

A public agency which has provided notice under subsection (b) of this section shall disclose the records requested unless it receives a written objection from the employee concerned … within seven business days from the receipt by the employee …Each objection filed under this subsection shall be on a form prescribed by the public agency, which shall consist of a statement to be signed by the employee … under the penalties of false statement, that to the best of his knowledge, information and belief there is good ground to support it and that the objection is not interposed for delay.  Upon the filing of an objection as provided in this subsection, the agency shall not disclose the requested records unless ordered to do so by the Freedom of Information Commission pursuant to section 1-206.

 

14.   It is found that the chief reviewed the investigation report concerning Captain Sevetz and concluded it was reasonable to believe that “disclosure of such records would legally constitute an invasion of privacy,” within the meaning of §1-214(b), G.S.  Accordingly, on August 8, 2007, the chief notified Sevetz of the complainant’s request. 

 

15.   It is found that by e-mail sent on August 13, 2007, Sevetz formally objected to release of copies of the records described in paragraph 2, above.  Sevetz stated in the e-mail that the report “involves a highly personal matter, not directly connected with my employment as a Police Captain.  In addition, it is also an ‘uncorroborated allegation.’”

 

16.   It is found that, although Sevetz signed the e-mail electronically, he did not do so under the penalties of false statement, as required by §1-214(c), G.S.  Nevertheless, it is found that Sevetz testified under oath at the hearing in this matter that his objection was based on his belief that there was “good ground to support it and that the objection [was] not interposed for delay,” within the meaning of §1-214(c), G.S.

 

17.   It is found that upon receipt of Sevetz’s objection, the chief refused to disclose the requested records, pursuant to the requirement of §1-214(c), G.S.

 

18.   After the hearing in this matter, the respondent submitted unredacted copies of the requested records, described in paragraph 2, above, for in camera inspection, which pages shall be identified herein as IC-2007-447-1 through IC-2007-447-107, excluding the report’s cover page.*

 

19.   It is found that the chief commenced the Internal Affairs investigation of Sevetz soon after receiving an e-mail from a town resident that contained 22 allegations of wrongdoing by Sevetz. 

 

20.   It is found that the Simsbury resident, who had received the e-mail described in paragraph 19, above, from a third party, read aloud the message in its entirety at the open forum portion of a Simsbury Board of Selectman meeting. 

 

21.   At the hearing in this matter, the respondent acknowledged that the 22 allegations are now in the public domain. Nevertheless, the respondent included a copy of the e-mail containing the 22 allegations with the copies of records submitted in camera, pages IC-2007-447-60 through IC-2007-447-65, and claimed that the records are exempt from disclosure pursuant to §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

22.   It is found that neither the chief nor Sevetz sent or distributed the e-mail, described in paragraph 19, above, nor did either respondent facilitate or accede to the public disclosure of the e-mail’s contents.  It is further found that the respondents have consistently claimed that the e-mail and its contents do not belong in the public domain and have acted consistently to protect the confidentiality of the information contained in the e-mail.

 

23.   Accordingly, it is concluded that the respondents did not waive their right to rely on the “personal privacy” exemption of §1-210(b)(2), G.S., by refusing to disclose to the complainant the e-mail and information relating to the allegations in the Internal Affairs investigation, as described in paragraph 2, above.

 

24.   On the index to the in camera records, the chief claimed, generally, the exemption at §1-210(b)(2), G.S., for almost all of the in camera records.  Sevetz objected that disclosure of the records would be an invasion of his privacy and claimed the exemption at §1-210(b)(2), G.S., for all of the in camera records.

 

25.  The Supreme Court set forth the test for the exemption contained in §1-210(b)(2), G.S., in Perkins v. Freedom of Information Commission, 228 Conn. 158, 175 (1993).   The claimant must first establish that the files in question are personnel, medical or similar files.  Second, the claimant must show that disclosure of the records would constitute an invasion of personal privacy.  In determining whether disclosure would constitute an invasion of personal privacy, the claimant must establish both of two elements: first, that the information sought does not pertain to legitimate matters of public concern, and second, that the disclosure of such information is highly offensive to a reasonable person.  The Commission takes administrative notice of the multitude of court rulings, commission final decisions,1 and instances of advice given by the Commission staff members,2 which have relied upon the Perkins test, since its release in 1993.

 

26.   Based on a review of the in camera records, it is found that IC-2007-477-01 through IC-2007-477-107 are the results of an investigation conducted at the request of Sevetz’s supervisor.  It is found that the investigation concerned Sevetz’s fitness for duty as a police officer for the Town of Simsbury.  The records of the investigation, therefore, are found to be part of Sevetz’s personnel file or similar file.

 

27.  With the exception of the redactions indicated in paragraph 35, below, it is found that disclosure of the records, IC-2007-477-01 through IC-2007-477-107, would not constitute an invasion of personal privacy.  Where indicated in paragraph 35, below, it is found that the redacted information does not pertain to legitimate matters of public concern and the disclosure of such information would be highly offensive to a reasonable person.

 

28.   The chief also claimed the exemption at §1-210(b)(3), G.S., for in camera records IC-2007-447-1 through IC-2007-447-31, IC-2007-447-51 through IC-2007-447-57, and IC-2007-447-67 through IC-2007-447-72.

 

29.   Section 1-210(b)(3), G.S., provides in relevant part:

 

Nothing in the Freedom of Information Act shall be construed to require disclosure of … records of law enforcement agencies not otherwise available to the public which records were compiled in connection with the detection or investigation of crime, if the disclosure of said records would not be in the public interest because it would result in the disclosure of (A) the identity of informants not otherwise known or the identity of witnesses not otherwise known whose safety would be endangered or who would be subject to threat or intimidation if their identity was made known, (B) signed statements of witnesses, (C) information to be used in a prospective law enforcement action if prejudicial to such action, (D) investigatory techniques not otherwise known to the general public, (E) arrest records of a juvenile, which shall also include any investigatory files, concerning the arrest of such juvenile, compiled for law enforcement purposes, (F) the name and address of the victim of a sexual assault under section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b or 53a-73a, or injury or risk of injury, or impairing of morals under section 53-21, or of an attempt thereof, or (G) uncorroborated allegations subject to destruction pursuant to section 1-216;

 

30.  It is found that the in camera records described in paragraph 28, above, are criminal incident reports and references to those reports included in the Internal Affairs Investigation report.  It is further found that such records satisfy the general requirements of §1-210(b)(3), G.S., in that they are “records of law enforcement agencies not otherwise available to the public which records were compiled in connection with the detection or investigation of crime.”  The respondent, however, failed to specify which sub-sections of §1-210(b)(3), G.S., he claims apply to permit him to exempt the records from disclosure.

 

31.  With the exception of the redactions indicated in paragraph 35, below, it is found that disclosure of the records IC-2007-447-1 through IC-2007-447-31, IC-2007-447-51 through IC-2007-447-59, and IC-2007-447-67 through IC-2007-447-72, would not violate any of the sub-sections of §1-210(b)(3), G.S.  Where indicated in paragraph 35, below, it is found that the redacted information is exempt pursuant to the subsections (B) and (F) of §1-210(b)(3), G.S.

 

32.  It is found that §17a-101k(a), G.S., constitutes a broad grant of confidentiality with respect to information pertaining to allegations of child abuse.  The Commission takes administrative notice of Connecticut’s General Statutes, although no party in this matter raised the confidentiality requirements of §17a-101k(a), G.S., as an issue in determining whether the requested records must be disclosed to the public.  Town of Groton v. FOI Commission, New Britain J.D., No. 496887 (2001).

 

33.  Section 17a-101k(a), G.S., provides in relevant part:

 

The Commissioner of Children and Families shall maintain a registry of the commissioner's findings of abuse or neglect of children. . . The information contained in the registry and any other information relative to child abuse, wherever located, shall be confidential, subject to such statutes and regulations governing their use and access as shall conform to the requirements of federal law or regulations.  [Emphasis added]

 

34.  Where indicated in paragraph 35 below, it is found that §17a-101k(a), G.S., applies to prohibit the disclosure of the redacted information.

 

35.  Based on the foregoing, it is found that the following information is exempt from disclosure:

 

 

IC-2007-447-1 (Page 1): 

line 35: all                                             §17a-101k(a), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-2 (Page 2): 

lines 1, 6, 7                                            §1-210(b)(2), G.S.       

 

IC-2007-447-5 (Page 5):

lines 9 and 10:  all                                 §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 35: words 5 through 11                   §17a-101k(a), G.S.     

                                   

IC-2007-447-6 (Page 6):

line 2:  words 4 to end of line                §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 10:  all                                            §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 11:  word 8 to end of line                §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 12:  words 1, 2                               §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 13:  word 6 to end of line                §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 14:  all                                            §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 15:  all                                            §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 16:  all                                            §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 17:  all                                            §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 18:  words 1 through 12                  §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 19:  words 9 through end of line      §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 20 to end of page 6:  all                  §17a-101k(a), G.S.

                                     

IC-2007-447-7 (Page 7): 

line 1:  all                                              §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 2:  words 8, 9

line 3:  word 14

lines  4 through 20:  all              §17a-101k(a), G.S.

lines 33 through 37:  all             §17a-101k(a), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-8 (Page 8):

lines 1 through 22:  all               §17a-101k(a), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-9 (Page 9): 

line 9 and 10:  all                                   §17a-101k(a), G.S.

lines 17 through 31:  all             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-10 (Page 10):

line 14: word 13                                   §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 16:  word 7                                    §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 18:  word 10                                  §17a-101k(a), G.S.

                                               

IC-2007-447-11 (Page 11): 

lines 20 through remainder of

   page 11:  all                                       §17a-101k(a), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-12 (Page 12): 

all                                                         §17a-101k(a), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-13 (Page 13): 

lines 1 through 5:  all                             §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 27: words 1 through 6         §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 41:  word 4                                    §17a-101k(a), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-14 (Page 14):

lines 1 and 2:  all                                   §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 7:  words 3 through 7                      §17a-101k(a), G.S.

                                               

IC-2007-447-16 (Page 16):

lines 13 through line 17:  all                   §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

lines 19 through 22:  all             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.      

line 28:  word 3                                    §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 29:  words 4, 11                             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 31:  word 9                                    §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 33:  word 8                                    §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 35:  word 14                                  §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 39:  words 1, 7, 16             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 40:  word 13                                  §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-17 (Page 17):

line 2:  words 1, 8                                 §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 3:  word 10                                    §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 6:  words 1 through 3, 14, 16          §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 7:  words 4, 5                                 §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 8:  word 3                                      §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 9:  words 1, 11                               §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 10:  word 16                                  §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 11:  word 12                                  §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 12:  word 3                                    §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 13:  words 1, 14                             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 14:  words 5, 16                             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 16:  word 12                                  §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 19:  word 12                                  §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 21:  word 10                                  §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 22:  word 14                                  §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 23:  words 1, 2, 12, 13                   §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 24:  words 5 through 13                  §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 26:  word 3, 4, 11, 12                    §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 27:  word 13                                  §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 29:  word 9, 12                              §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 30:  word 13                                  §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 31:  word 6, 9, 19                          §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 32:  words 1, 4, 14             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 33:  word 6, 7, 10, 13                    §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 34:  words 3, 7, 8, 12, 13, 16         §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 35:  words 2, 9, 14             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 36:  words 4, 11, 12, 16                 §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 38:  words 2, 3                               §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 39:  word 12                                  §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 41:  words 2, 8, 14             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 42:  12, 13, 16                               §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 43:  word 8, 14                              §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 44:  words 6, 15                             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

 

IC-2007-447-18 (Page 18):

line 1:  word 12, 13                              §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 2:  words 6, 16, 17             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 7:  word 17                                    §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 8:  words 8, 14                               §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 9:  word 15                                    §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 10:  words 14, 15                           §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 11:  word 1                                    §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 13:  word 5                                    §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 14:  word 6, 16                              §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 15:  words 13, 14, 17, 18               §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 16:  words 1, 2, 7, 13                     §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 19:  words 3, 10, 16                       §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 20:  words 3, 20                             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 21:  words 10, 16                           §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 22:  word 10                                  §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

lines 27 and 28: all                                §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 30:  words 15 to end of line            §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 31:  words 1 through 12                  §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 33:  words 8 through 16                  §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 34:  all                                            §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 37:  16, 17, 18                               §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 38 to end of page 18                      §17a-101k(a), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-19 (Page 19): 

all                                                         §17a-101k(a), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-20 (Page 20):

lines 1 through 17:  all               §17a-101k(a), G.S.

lines 19 – 21:  all                                   §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-21 (Page 21):

               line 15: words 2, 3                             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

               lines 17 through 24:  all                      §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

              line 26:  words 6, 7, 8                                    §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

               line 29:  word 4 through

remainder of line                       §17a-101k(a), G.S.

               line 30:  words 1, 11, 12                    §1-210(b)(2), G.S.      

               line 31:  all                                         §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

               line 32:  words 11 to end of line         §1-210(b)(3)(F), G.S.

               line 33:  words 1, 6, 7, 8                    §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

               line 40:  words 7, 14                          §17a-101k(a), G.S.

               line 42:  words 1 through 13               §17a-101k(a), G.S.

               line 43:  word 14 through 17              §17a-101k(a), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-22 (Page 22):

line 2:  all                                  §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 4:  word 2 through end of line          §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 5:  all                                  §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 9:  words 8 through 13                    §1-210(b)(3)(F), G.S.

line 10:  words 10, 11, 12, 13, 14         §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 11:  word 3                                    §17a-101k(a), G.S.

lines 12:  words 1, 12                           §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 13:  word 2                                    §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 14:  word 10 through 16                 §17a-101k(a), G.S.

lines 15, 16:  all                         §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 17:  words 1 through 9                    §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

lines 18 words 1, 2                               §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 19:  word 10                                  §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 20:  words 4, 5                               §1-210(b)(3)(F), G.S.

line 21:  words 5, 16                             §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 23:  words 9 through 20                  §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 24:  all                                            §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 25:  all                                            §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 26 through line 36:  all                     §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 38:  words 10, 11                           §1-210(b)(3)(F), G.S.

line 41:  words 6, 7, 12             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 42:  word 2                                    §1-210(b)(3)(F), G.S. 

                       

IC-2007-447-23 (Page 23): 

line 2:  word 17                                    §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 3:   all                                             §17a-101k(a), G.S.

lines 5 through 10:  all               §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 12:  word 13                                  §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 15:  words 5 through end of line      §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

lines 16 through 19:  all             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 26;  words 7, 12                             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 28:  word 6                                    §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 30:  words 3, 10, 11, 15                 §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 31:  word 10, 11                            §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 32:  word 2, 4, 10                          §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 36:  word 16                                  §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 38:  word 1                                    §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 40:  word 6                                    §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 41:  words 1 through 13                  §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 42:  word 1                                    §17a-101k(a), G.S.

l

IC-2007-447-24 (Page 24):                                                        

line 1:  word 2                                      §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 4:  words 1, 13                               §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 5:  4, 10                                         §1-210(b)(2), G.S.      

line 6:  16                                             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 7:  11                                             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 9:  12                                             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.      

lines 17 and 18:  all                               §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 20:  word 2                                    §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 22:  word 16                                  §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 25:  word 3                                    §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 26:  word 10                                  §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 28:  word 1                                    §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 30:  words 8 through end of line      §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 31 through 33:  all               §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 35:  word 13

line 40 through 44                                 §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-25 (Page 25):

all                                                         §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-26 (Page 26): 

lines 1 through 19:  all               §1-210(b)(2), G.S.      

line 40:  words 2, 13                             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

                                   

IC-2007-447-27 (Page 27): 

lines 17 through 41:  all             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-28 (Page 28): 

all                                                         §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-29 (Page 29): 

all                                                         §17a-101k(a), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-30 (Page 30):

all                                                         §17a-101k(a), G.S.

 

 

IC-2007-447-31 (Page 31): 

all                                                         §17a-101k(a), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-37 (Page 37): 

all                                                                    §17a-101k(a), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-38 (Page 38): 

all                                                                     §17a-101k(a), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-39 (page 39): 

all                                                                     §17a-101k(a), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-40 (Page 40): 

lines 4 through 48:  all                           §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-41 (Page 41): 

line 4:  words 18 through 21                              §17a-101k(a), G.S.

lines 5, 6:  all                                                     §17a-101k(a), G.S.

lines 14 through 22:  all                         §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 23:  words 1 through 18                              §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

lines 26 through 30                                           §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

lines 31 through 46                                           §17a-101k(a), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-42 (Page 42):

lines 1 through 27:  all                           §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 33:  words 8, 12, 13, 14                             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 34:  word 10                                              §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 35:  word 5                                                §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 36:  words 2, 6, 15                         §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 37 word 3                                                  §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 38 through 43:  all                           §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-43 (Page 43):

lines 1 through 9:  all                                         §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 10:  words 1 through 8                                §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

lines 17 through 45                                           §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-44 (Page 44): 

lines 1 through 11:  all                           §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 21:  all                                                        §1-210(b)(2), G.S.      

line 22: words 1 through 4                                 §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 24: words12 through 16                              §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 25:  words 11 through 15                            §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 29:  words 2 through 16                              §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 39:  words 5, 6, 12                         §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 43:  words 10, 11                                       §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-45 (Page 45):

lines 1 through 5:  all                                         §17a-101k(a), G.S.

lines 6 through 14:  all                           §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 16:  words 1 through 14                              §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 25:  words 4 through 14                              §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 26:  word 4                                                §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 27:  word 6, 7, 8, 9                                    §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 28:  all                                                        §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 29:  word 3                                                §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 30:  word 6, 15                                          §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 31:  word 2,                                               §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 35:  word 4                                                §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 36:  word 3                                                §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 37:  words 1, 11                                         §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 38:  word 10, 11, 12, 17                            §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 39:  word 10                                              §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 40:  words 3 to end of line              §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 41:  word 8                                                §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 42:  word 12                                                                     

 

IC-2007-447-46 (Page 46):

lines 1 through 16:  all                           §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

lines 24 through 30                                           §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 32: 8, 9, 10, 17, 18, 19                              §17a-101k(a), G.S.

lines 34 through 44: all                          §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-47 (Page 47):

lines 1 through 17:  all                           §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 23:  words 6 and 8

lines 25 through 46:  all                         §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-48 (Page 48):

lines 1 through 7                                               §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

lines 8 through 19                                             §17a-101k(a), G.S.

lines 20 through 32                                           §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-49 (Page 49):

lines 1 through 24:  all                           §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-57 (Page 57):  

line 5:  all                                                          §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 7:  words following “daughter”

     and preceding “to drive”                              §1-210(b)(3)(F), G.S. 

line 8:  words following “Hartland”

     and preceding “drove”                                 §1-210(b)(3)(F), G.S.

line 9:  all                                                          §1-210(b)(3)(F), G.S.               

line 10:  all                                                        §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 12:  words 13 through 16,

     including DOB                                             §1-210(b)(3)(F), G.S.

line 14:  words 4, 5, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-58 (Page 58): 

all                                                                     §1-210(b)(3)(B), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-59 (Page 59): 

all                                                                     §1-210(b)(3)(B), G.S.

IC-2007-447-60 (Page 60): 

line 2: words 12 through 16                               §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 3:  all                                                          §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 4:  word 19                                                §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 5:  words 1, 2                                             §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 11:  word 1, 20, 21                                    §17a-101k(a), G.S.

lines 16 through 20:  all                         §17a-101k(a), G.S.

lines 31 through 37: all                          §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

 

IC-2007-447-60 (Page 61): 

lines 1 through 6                                               §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 9:  words 15, 16, 17                                   §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

lines 12 through 18:  all                                     §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 19:  words 6, 7, 8                                       §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 22:  all                                                        §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 23:  words 10, 11                                       §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 24:  all                                                        §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

lines 29 through 37:  all                                     §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

lines 40 through 41:  all                                     §17a-101k(a), G.S.     

lines 42 through 44                                           §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-62 (Page 62):

lines 1 through 13                                             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

lines 14, 15                                                       §17a-101k(a), G.S.

lines 16 through 19:  all                         §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 20:  words 1 through 6, 15              §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 21:  words 4, 5, 14, 15                               §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 22: words 6, 12                                          §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 23:  words 1, 7, 8                                       §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 24:  word 12                                              §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 25:  words 1, 2, 5                                       §17a-101k(a), G.S.

lines 26 through 28:  all                         §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 30:  words 9, 10, 11, 12                             §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 33: words 8 to end of line               §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 34:  all                                                        §17a-101k(a), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-63 (Page 63)

line 2: words 12 through 16                               §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 3:  all                                                          §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 4:  word 19                                                §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 5:  words 1, 2                                             §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 11:  word 1, 20, 21                                    §17a-101k(a), G.S.

lines 16 through 20:  all                         §17a-101k(a), G.S.

lines 31 through 37: all                          §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-64 (Page 64):

lines 1 through 6                                               §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 9:  words 15, 16, 17                                   §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

lines 12 through 18:  all                                     §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 19:  words 6, 7, 8                                       §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 22:  all                                                        §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 23:  words 10, 11                                       §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 24:  all                                                        §17a-101k(a), G.S.

lines 29 through 37:  all                                     §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

lines 40 through 41:  all                                     §17a-101k(a), G.S.     

lines 42 through 44                                           §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

IC-2007-447-65 (Page 65):

lines 1 through 13                                             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

lines 14, 15                                                       §17a-101k(a), G.S.

lines 16 through 19: all                          §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 20:  words 1 through 6, 15              §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 21:  words 4, 5, 14, 15                               §17a-101k(a), G.S.

margin notations opposite lines

    18 through 21:  all                                         §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 22:  words 6, 12                                         §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 23:  words 1, 7, 8                                       §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 24:  word 12                                              §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 25:  words 1, 2, 5                                       §17a-101k(a), G.S.

lines 26 through 28:  all                         §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 30:  words 9, 10, 11, 12                             §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 33:  words 8 to end of line              §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 34:  all                                                        §17a-101k(a), G.S.

 

IC-2007-67 through IC-2007-69 (Pages 67 through 69):

all                                                                     §17a-101k(a), G.S.

 

IC-2007-74 through IC-2007-77 (Pages 74 through 77): 

all                                                                      §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

                                            

IC-2007-78 through IC-2007-80 (Pages 78 through 80):

all                                                                     §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

 

IC-2007-81 through IC-2007-85 (Pages 81 through 85):

all                                                                     §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

 

IC-2007-86 (Page 86): 

line 8:  words 4, 5                                             §17a-101k(a), G.S.

 

IC-2007-88 (Page 88): 

all                                                                     §1-210(b)(3)(B), G.S.

 

IC-2007-89 (Page 89):

all                                                                     §1-210(b)(3)(B), G.S.

 

IC-2007-93 (Page 93):

all                                                                     §1-210(b)(3)(B), G.S.

                                   

IC-2007-94 (Page 94):

all                                                                     §1-210(b)(3)(B), G.S.

 

IC-2007-98 (Page 98):

lines 8, 9:  all                                                     §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 23:  all                                                        §17a-101k(a), G.S. 

 

IC-2007-101 (Page 101): 

lines 18 through 20:  all                                     §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

lines 37, 38:  all                                     §17a-101k(a), G.S. 

 

IC-2007-105 (Page 105):

line 16:  words following “took”

     and preceding “used”                                   §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 17:  word 13                                             §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

line 18:  word 7                                                §1-210(b)(2), G.S.      

lines 20, 21:  all                                     §17a-101k(a), G.S.

line 22:  word following “with”

     and preceding “in”                           §1-210(b)(2), G.S.

lines 23, 24:  all                                     §17a-101k(a), G.S.

 

36.   It is concluded that, with the exception of the redactions described in paragraph 35, above, the records described in paragraph 2, above, are not exempt from mandatory disclosure under the FOI Act.

 

37.  It is further concluded that the respondent violated §§1-210(a)(1) and 1-212(a), G.S., by failing to provide the complainants with redacted copies of the requested records, described in paragraph 2, above, and with copies of the pages in which no information is exempt from disclosure.

 

 

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

 

  1.   The respondent shall forthwith provide to the complainant free of charge a copy of the requested records redacted as directed in paragraph 35, above.

 

 

Approved by Order of the Freedom of Information Commission at its regular meeting of April 23, 2008.

 

________________________________

Petrea A. Jones

Acting Clerk of the Commission

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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:

 

Daniel Mathena

20 Hill Road

Harwinton, CT 06791

           

Chief, Police Department,

Town of Simsbury

c/o Robert M. DeCrescenzo, Esq.

Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, P.C.

PO Box 231277

One State Street

Hartford, CT 06123-1277

 

Peter P. Sevetz, Jr.

154 Walnut Hill Road

East Hartland, CT 06027

 

 

 

___________________________________

Petrea A. Jones

Acting Clerk of the Commission

 

 

FIC/2007-447FD/paj/4/28/2008

 

 

 

                                                                                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.  ENDNOTES

 

A. Court cases

 

Payne v. City of Danbury, 267 Conn. 669 (2004); Director, Retirement & Benefits Services Div. v. FOIC, 256 Conn. 764 (2001); Rocque v. FOIC, 255 Conn. 651 (2001); Dept. of Public Safety v FOIC, 242 Conn. 79 (1997); Conn. Alcohol & Drug Abuse Commission v. FOIC, 233 Conn.28 (1995); Kurecza v. FOIC, 228 Conn. 271 (1994); First Selectman v. FOIC, 60 Conn. App. 64 (2000); Dept. of Children & Families v. FOIC, 48 Conn. App. 467 (1998); Almeida v. FOIC, 39 Conn. App. 154 (1995); Dept. of Transportation v. FOIC, Super Ct JD NB CV 01-0508810 (Schuman, J. 2001); City Treasurer, City of Hartford v. FOIC, Super Ct JD NB CV 99 0496222 (Cohn, J. 2000); Rocque, Commissioner of Environmental Protection v. FOIC, Super Ct JD NB CV 98 0492734 (Hartmere, J. 1999); Director, Retirement & Benefits Services Div. v. FOIC, Super Ct JD NB CV 98 0492692 (Hartmere, J. 1999); First Selectman, Town of Ridgefield v. FOIC, Super Ct JD NB CV 99‑0493041 (McWeeny, J. 1999); Chairman, Bd. of Education Town of Darien v. FOIC, Super Ct JD Htfd NB CV 97 0575674 (McWeeny, J. 1998); Waters, Commissioner of State of Conn. Dept. of Administrative Services v. FOIC, Super Ct JD Htfd/NB CV 96 0565853 (McWeeny, J. 1997); Armstrong, Commissioner of State of Conn. Dept. Of Correction v. FOIC, Super Ct JD Htfd/NB CV 96 0563608 (McWeeny, J. 1997); Dept. of Children & Families v. FOIC, Super Ct JD Htfd NB CV 96 0562546 (McWeeny, J. 1997); State of Conn. Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities v. FOIC, Super Ct JD Htfd/NB CV 95 0554467 (McWeeny, J. 1997); Youngquist v. FOIC, Super Ct JD Htfd/NB, CV 95 0554601 (McWeeny, J. 1996 and 1997); Cracco v. FOIC, Super Ct JD Htfd/NB, CV 94 0705371 (Dunnell, J. 1995); Cracco v. FOIC, Super Ct JD Htfd NB, CV 93 0705370, (Dunnell, J. 1995); Cracco v. FOIC, Super Ct JD Htfd NB, CV 94 0705369, (Dunnell, J. 1995); Simonds v. FOIC, Super Ct JD Htfd/NB, CV 93 070 41 39 (Maloney, J. 1994); Gallagher v. FOIC, Super Ct JD Htfd/NB, CV 93 0531514 (Maloney, J. 1994).

 

 

B. FOIC Decisions

 

Docket #FIC 2003-285;  Frank C. Violissi, Jr. v. First Selectman, Town of Chester (May 26, 2004); Docket #FIC 2003-074; Heather M. Henderson v. State of Connecticut, Department of Public Safety, Legal Affairs Department (Dec. 10, 2003); Docket #FIC 2003-020; Hugh Curran v. Mayor, City of Waterbury (Sept. 10, 2003); Docket #FIC 2002-580; Ken Byron and The Hartford Courant v. First Selectman, Town of Westbrook (Sept. 10, 2003); Docket #FIC 2003-038 Chris Dehnel and The Journal Inquirer v.  First Selectman, Town of Ellington (Aug. 27, 2003); Docket #FIC 2002-531Chris Dehnel and Journal Inquirer First Selectman, Town of Ellington (Aug. 27, 2003); Docket #FIC 2003-055; Robert Mack v. Director, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction, Labor Relations (July 23, 2003); Docket #FIC 2002-345; Josh Kovner, Chris Keating, and The Hartford Courant v. Chief, Police Department, City of Middletown (July 23, 2003); Docket #FIC 2002-338; Amy L. Zitka and The Middletown Press v. Chief, Police Department, City of Middletown; and Professional Standards Unit Supervisor, Police Department, City of Middletown (July 23, 2003); Docket #FIC 2002-465; Fred Radford v. Chairman, Police Commission, Town of Trumbull; and Chief, Police Department, Town of Trumbull (July 9, 2003); Docket #FIC 2002-118; Kimberly W. Moy and the Hartford Courant v. Superintendent of Schools, Southington Public Schools (Feb. 26, 2003); Docket #FIC 2002-020; Maurice Timothy Reidy and The Hartford Courant v. Chief, Police Department, Town of Newington and Brendan Fitzgerald (Oct. 23, 2002); Docket #FIC 2001-489 Jonathan Kellogg, Trip Jennings and Waterbury Republican-American Chief, Police Department, Borough of Naugatuck and Rick Smolicz (Sept. 25, 2002); Docket #FIC 2002-173; Carrie J. Campion v. Director, Department of Human Resources, Town of Fairfield (Aug. 28, 2002); Docket #FIC 2001-425 Joseph Mincewicz, Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Public Safety, Division of State Police; and State of Connecticut, Department of Public Safety, Division of State Police (Aug. 28, 2002); Docket #FIC 2001-421 Jean M. Morningstar and University Health Professionals Local 3837, AFT-CFEPE, AFL-CIO v. Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, State of Connecticut, University of Connecticut Health Center; and State of Connecticut, University of Connecticut Health Center; and Justin Radolf, M.D., Director, Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center (Aug. 28, 2002); Docket #FIC 2002-093 Sean P. Turpin v. Director, Department of Human Resources, Town of Greenwich and Steve Demetri (July 24, 2002); Docket #FIC 2002-034; MariAn Gail Brown, Michael P. Mayko and Connecticut Post Michael Lupkas, Comptroller, City of Bridgeport; Christopher Duby, Chief of Staff, City of Bridgeport; Mark Anastasi, City Attorney, City of Bridgeport; and Gregory Conte, Deputy Chief of Staff, City of Bridgeport (June 26, 2002); Docket #FIC 2001-364; Karen Guzman and The Hartford Courant v. City of New Britain Docket (June 26, 2002); Docket #FIC 2001-180 James H. Smith and The Record Journal Publishing Company v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Public Safety, Division of State Police; and State of Connecticut, Department of Public Safety, Division of State Police (Feb. 13, 2002); Docket #FIC 2001-129; Kimberly W. Moy and The Hartford Courant v. Police Commission, Town of Southington (Feb. 13, 2002); Docket #FIC 2001-251 Fred Radford v. Chief, Police Department, Town of Trumbull (Jan. 23, 2002); Docket #FIC 2000-624; Eric Gustavson v. Board of Education, Brookfield Public Schools (June 13, 2001); Docket #FIC 2000-557; Wendy John v. Richard Blumenthal, Attorney General, State of Connecticut, Office of the Attorney General; Wil Gundling, William McCullough, Phillip Schulz, Margaret Chapple, Assistant Attorneys General, State of Connecticut, Office of the Attorney General; and State of Connecticut, Office of the Attorney General (June 13, 2001); Docket #FIC 2000-268; Michael Costanza and The Day v. Director of Utilities, Utilities Department, City of Groton; and Mayor, City of Groton (April 25, 2001); Docket #FIC 2000-198; William J. Stone v. Personnel Administrator, State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation, Bureau of Finance and Administration; and State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation (April 20, 2001); Docket #FIC 2000-537; James Leonard, Jr. v. Chief, Police Department, City of New Britain (March 28, 2001); Docket #FIC 2000-348; Bradshaw Smith v. Office of the Vice Chancellor for Information Services, State of Connecticut, University of Connecticut; and State of Connecticut, University of Connecticut (February 28, 2001); Docket #FIC 2000-474; Robert H. Boone and Journal Inquirer v. Chief, Police Department, Town of Windsor Locks (Jan. 24, 2001); Docket #FIC 2000-265; Lisa Goldberg and The Hartford Courant v. Superintendent of Schools, Vernon Public Schools (Jan. 24, 2001); Docket #FIC 2000-569; Mary Hyde v. Chief, Police Department, Town of Seymour (Dec. 13, 2000); Docket #FIC 2000-049; Nicholas B. Wynnick v. Board of Directors, Ansonia Public Library, Town of Ansonia (Dec. 13, 2000); Docket #FIC 2000-136; Thomas E. Lee v. Board of Education, Trumbull Public Schools; and Superintendent of Schools, Trumbull Public Schools (Nov. 29, 2000); Docket #FIC 2000-135; Thomas E. Lee v. Board of Education, Trumbull Public Schools; and Superintendent of Schools, Trumbull Public Schools (Nov. 29, 2000); Docket #FIC2000-086; Mitchell D. Poudrier v. Superintendent of Schools, Killingly Public Schools (Sept. 13, 2000); Docket #FIC 2000-173; Robert H. Boone and the Journal Inquirer v. Anthony Milano, District Manager, Metropolitan District Commission; and Metropolitan District Commission (Aug. 23, 2000); Docket #FIC 2000-094; James D. Goodwin v. Communications Specialist, State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services, Public and Government Relations Unit (Aug. 9, 2000); Docket #FIC 2000-022; Thedress Campbell v. City Treasurer, City of Hartford (Aug. 9, 2000); Docket #FIC 2000-137; Robert H. Boone and Journal Inquirer v. Metropolitan District Commission (July 12, 2000); Docket #FIC 1999-560; Leo F. Smith v. Robert H. Skinner, First Selectman, Town of Suffield; and Selectmen’s Office, Town of Suffield (July 12, 2000); Docket #FIC 1999-556; Delores Annicelli v. Director, New Haven Housing Authority, City of New Haven; and New Haven Housing Authority, City of New Haven (July 12, 2000); Docket #FIC 1999-548; Leo F. Smith v. John P. Lange, Human Resources Director, Town of Suffield; and Department of Human Resources, Town of Suffield (July 12, 2000); Docket #FIC 1999-547; Leo F. Smith v. John P. Lange, Human Resources Director, Town of Suffield; and Department of Human Resources, Town of Suffield (July 12, 2000); Docket #FIC 1999-525; Leo F. Smith v. John P. Lange, Human Resources Director, Town of Suffield; and Department of Human Resources, Town of Suffield (July 12, 2000); Docket #FIC 2000-118; Elizabeth Ganga and Connecticut Post v. Police Department, Town of Stratford (June 28, 2000); Docket #FIC 2000-095; Ron Robillard and the Chronicle v. Chairman, Board of Education, Eastford Public Schools; and Board of Education, Eastford Public Schools (June 28, 2000); Docket #FIC 2000-093; Megan J. Bard and The Norwich Bulletin v. Chairman, Board of Education, Eastford Public Schools; and Board of Education, Eastford Public Schools (June 28, 2000); Docket #FIC 1999-575; Bruce Kaz v. Robert Skinner, First Selectman, Town of Suffield; and Ted Flanders, Building Inspector, Town of Suffield (June 28, 2000); Docket #FIC 1999-519; Robert J. Fortier v. Personnel Director, Town of East Hartford; and Mayor, Town of East Hartford (June 14, 2000); Docket #FIC1999-550; James and Susanne Milewski v. Deputy Chief, Police Department, Town of Clinton; and Police Department, Town of Clinton (May 24, 2000); Docket #FIC 2000-005; Fred B. Feins v. President and Chief Executive Officer, Granby Ambulance Association, Inc., Town of Granby (May 10, 2000); Docket #FIC1999-606; Robert L. Corraro and IBEW Local 90 v. Town Attorney, Town of Hamden; and Electrical Contractors, Inc. (May 10, 2000); Docket #FIC 1999-533; Donald J. Lanouette, Jr. v. Chief, Police Department, Town of Madison; and Police Department, Town of Madison (April 26, 2000); Docket #FIC 1999-502; Christopher Hoffman and New Haven Register v. Director of Personnel, State of Connecticut, Southern Connecticut State University; and Personnel Office, State of Connecticut, Southern Connecticut State University (April 26, 2000); Docket #FIC1999-440; Anne Hamilton and The Hartford Courant James Martino, Chief, Police Department, Town of Avon; Peter A. Agnesi, Lieutenant, Police Department, Town of Avon; and Police Department, Town of Avon (March 8, 2000); Docket #FIC1999-333; Lynn Fredricksen and New Haven Register v. Chief, Police Department, Town of Madison; and Police Department, Town of Madison (March 8, 2000); Docket #FIC 1999-289; Thomas Moran v. Director, Human Resources, Town of Simsbury; and Department of Human Resources, Town of Simsbury (Feb. 9, 2000); Docket #FIC 1999-328; Victor Zigmund v. Director, State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Human Resources Operations, Connecticut Valley Hospital, Whiting Forensic Division (Jan. 26, 2000); Docket #FIC 1999-100; Janice D’Arcy and The Hartford Courant v. Chief, Police Department, Town of Cheshire; Police Department, Town of Cheshire; Town Manager, Town of Cheshire; and Town of Cheshire (Jan. 26, 2000); Docket #FIC 1999-355; Wayne Mercier v. Patricia C. Washington, Director of Personnel, City of Hartford; and Department of Personnel, City of Hartford (Nov. 10, 1999); Docket #FIC 1998-391; Jonathan F. Kellogg and The Republican American v. Department of Education, City of Waterbury (Oct. 13, 1999); Docket #FIC 1999-161; Michael W. Cahill v. Chief, Police Department, Town of Hamden; and Police Department, Town of Hamden (Sept. 22, 1999); Docket #FIC 1998-294; Robert J. Bourne v. Department of Public Utilities, City of Norwich, and City of Norwich (Sept. 22, 1999); Docket #FIC 1998-293; Joseph J. Cassidy v. Department of Public Utilities, City of Norwich, and City of Norwich (Sept. 22, 1999); Docket #FIC 1999-040; Judith F. Machuga and State of Connecticut, Division of Public Defender Services, Superior Court, G.A. 13 v. Chief, Police Department, Town of East Windsor; and Police Department, Town of East Windsor (Aug. 25, 1999); Docket #FIC 1999-144; Robert H. Boone and Journal Inquirer v. William Gifford, Chief, Police Department, Town of Windsor Locks; Police Department, Town of Windsor Locks; and Windsor Locks Police Commission (July 28, 1999); Docket #FIC 1999-096; Paul Marks and The Hartford Courant v. Chief, Police Department, Town of Windsor Locks; and Police Department, Town of Windsor Locks (July 28, 1999); Docket #FIC 1999-064; Joan Coe v. First Selectman, Town of Simsbury; Director, Human Resources Department, Town of Simsbury; and Town of Simsbury (July 28, 1999); Docket #FIC 1999-150; Andrew Nargi v. Office of Corporation Counsel, City of Torrington; and City of Torrington (July 14, 1999); Docket #FIC 1999-135; Warren Woodberry, Jr. and The Hartford Courant v. Acting Town Manager, Town of Rocky Hill and Town of Rocky Hill (July 14, 1999); Docket #FIC 1999-015; Richard Manuel Rivera v. Superintendent of Schools, Torrington Public Schools; and Board of Education, Torrington Public Schools (June 9, 1999); Docket #FIC 1998-372; William C. Kaempffer and New Haven Register v. Police Department, City of New Haven; City of New Haven; and James Sorrentino (June 9, 1999); Docket #FIC 1997-361; Dominick L. Santarsiero v. Director, Human Resources, City of Stamford (June 10, 1998); Docket #FIC 1999-019; David K. Jaffe v. State of Connecticut, Connecticut Lottery Corporation, Human Resources; State of Connecticut, Connecticut Lottery Corporation, Security Division; and State of Connecticut, Connecticut Lottery Corporation (April 28, 1999); Docket #FIC1998-325; Virginia Groark and The Day v. Freedom of Information Officer, State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health, Office of Special Services, Communications Division; and Agency Personnel Administrator, State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health, Human Resources Division (April 28, 1999); Docket #FIC 1998-208; Thedress Campbell v. City Treasurer, City of Hartford; and City of Hartford (April 14, 1999); Docket #FIC 1998-265; Benjamin M. Wenograd and Service Employees International Union Local 760 v. John Roughan, Executive Director, East Hartford Housing Authority; and East Hartford Housing Authority, Town of East Hartford (March 24, 1999); Docket #FIC 1997-363; Diana R. Raczkowski v. Mayor, Town of Naugatuck (March 11, 1998); Docket #FIC 1997-307; Krystin Bratina v. Chief, Hartford Fire Department, City of Hartford (March 11, 1998); Docket #FIC 1998-288; Christian Miller and the New Haven Register v. Superintendent, Branford Public Schools; and Board of Education, Branford Public Schools (Feb. 24, 1999); Docket #FIC 1998-255; Joan O’Rourke v. Chief, Police Department, City of Torrington; and Police Department, City of Torrington (Jan. 27, 1999); Docket #FIC 1998-251; John Ward v. Beverly L. Durante, Personnel Administrator, Housatonic Area Regional Transit; and Housatonic Area Regional Transit (Jan. 27, 1999); Docket #FIC 1998-163; Lawrence A. Butts v. Director, State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, Human Resources Division; and State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, Human Resources Division (Dec. 9, 1998); Docket #FIC 1998-162; Lawrence A. Butts Chairperson, State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, Human Resources Division; and State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, Human Resources Division (Dec. 9, 1998); Docket #FIC 1998-232; Scott Clark, Amy Kertesz, Michael Gates and the Ridgefield Police Union v. First Selectman, Town of Ridgefield; and Town of Ridgefield (Nov. 18, 1998); Docket #FIC 1998-193; Daniel P. Jones and The Hartford Courant v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection; and State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection (Nov. 18, 1998); Docket #FIC 1998-121; Ernie Cantwell and International Association of Firefighters, Local No. 1073 v. Director, Personnel Department, City of Middletown and Personnel Department, City of Middletown (Oct. 14, 1998); Docket #FIC 1998-120; Ernie Cantwell and International Association of Firefighters, Local No. 1073 v. Director, Personnel Department, City of Middletown (Oct. 14, 1998); Docket #FIC 1998‑094; Janice D'Arcy and The Hartford Courant v. Chief, Meriden Police Department, City of Meriden and Meriden Police Department (Oct. 14, 1998); Docket #FIC 1997-422; Joseph A. Johnson, Jr. and Greenwich Time v. Chief, Greenwich Police Department, Town of Greenwich; and Greenwich Police Department, Town of Greenwich (Sept. 9, 1998); Docket #FIC 1998-023; Deborah Maynard v. Superintendent, Voluntown School District; and Principal, Voluntown Elementary School, Voluntown School District (Aug. 12, 1998); Docket #FIC 1997-298; Allan Drury and The New Haven Register v. Chief, East Haven Police Department, Town of East Haven; and Town of East Haven (June 10, 1998); Jonathan Lucas and Greenwich Times v. Director, Department of Human Resources, Town of Greenwich; and Town of Greenwich (May 27, 1998); John C. Rettman v. Meriden Police Department, Internal Affairs Division; and Paul Rowen (May 13, 1998); Docket #FIC 1997-318; Dennis Carnot v. Chief, Meriden Police Department, City of Meriden; Internal Affairs Division, Meriden Police Department, City of Meriden; Meriden Police Department, City of Meriden; and Paul Rowen (May 13, 1998); Docket #FIC 1997-175; Matthew Brown, Ken Byron and The Hartford Courant v. Superintendent of Schools, Plymouth Public Schools; and Board of Education, Town of Plymouth (February 18, 1998); Docket #FIC 1997-123; John Christoffersen and The Advocate v. Superintendent of Schools, Stamford Public Schools and Director of Personnel, Stamford Public Schools (Feb. 11, 1998); Docket #FIC 1997-088; John B. Harkins v. Acting Town Manager, Town of Tolland (Jan. 28, 1998); Docket #FIC 1997-085; Joe Johnson and Greenwich Time v. Chief of Police, Greenwich Police Department (Jan. 28, 1998); Docket #FIC 1997-142; Laura Amon v. Program Manager, Affirmative Action Division, State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation (Dec. 3, 1997); Docket #FIC 1996-572; Ken Byron and The Hartford Courant v. Chief of Police, Town of Wethersfield (Nov. 12, 1997); Docket #FIC 1997-238; Kimberley A. Thomsen and the Republican-American v. Acting Superintendent, Waterbury Police Department (Oct. 29, 1997); Docket #FIC 1997-089; Steven Edelman v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Retardation; and State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Retardation (Oct. 22, 1997); Docket #FIC 1996-551; Judith A. Amato v. Executive Director, New Britain Housing Authority; and New Britain Housing Authority (Aug. 27, 1997); Docket # FIC 1996-539; Ann Marie Derwin v. Legal Advisor, State of Connecticut, Department of Public Safety; and State of Connecticut, Department of Public Safety (Aug. 27, 1997); Docket #FIC 1996-592; Francine Karp v. Mayor, City of Bristol; Director of Personnel, City of Bristol; and Dennis Daigneault (July 23, 1997); Docket #FIC 1996-243; Joanne C. Tashjian v. Personnel Officer, State of Connecticut, Workers’ Compensation Commission; and State of Connecticut, Workers’ Compensation Commission (June 4, 1997); Docket #FIC 1996-322;Carolyn Moreau and The Hartford Courant v. Chief of Police, Southington Police Department; and Susan Williams (May 28, 1997); Docket #FIC 1996-465; John Gauger, Jr., Joseph Cadrain and Richard Westervelt v. Kenneth H. Kirschner, Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Public Safety; Dawn Carnese, Legal Advisor, State of Connecticut, Department of Public Safety; and Lt. David Werner, Commanding Officer, Troop "B", State of Connecticut, Department of Public Safety, Division of State Police (April 9, 1997); Docket #FIC 1996-315; David W. Cummings v. Christopher Burnham, Treasurer, State of Connecticut (April 9, 1997); Docket #FIC 1996-521; Carol Butterworth v. Town Council, Town of Tolland (March 26, 1997); Docket #FIC 1996-421; John B. Harkins v. Chairman, Tolland Town Council (March 26, 1997); Docket #FIC 1996-314; David W. Cummings v. Christopher Burnham, Treasurer, State of Connecticut (April 9, 1997); Docket #FIC 1996-119; David W. Cummings v. Jesse M. Frankl, Chairman, State of Connecticut, Workers’ Compensation Commission (March 26, 1997); Docket #FIC 1996-215; Alice M. Gray v. Chief of Police, Manchester Police Department, and Assistant Town Attorney, Town of Manchester (Feb. 26, 1997); Docket #FIC 1996-159; Carolyn Moreau and The Hartford Courant v. Police Chief, Southington Police Department (Jan. 22, 1997); Docket #FIC 1996-124; Donald H. Schiller, Michael Kelley and The Record-Journal Publishing Company v. Police Chief, Town of Southington Police Department, and Town of Southington Police Department (Jan. 22, 1997); Docket #FIC 1996-134; Betty Halibozek v. Superintendent of Schools, Middletown Public Schools; and Supervisor of Maintenance and Transportation, Board of Education, City of Middletown (Dec. 11, 1996); Docket #FIC1996-006; Joseph Cadrain and Richard Westervelt v. Gerald Gore, Legal Affairs Unit, State of Connecticut, Department of Public Safety; and State of Connecticut, Department of Public Safety, Division of State Police (Dec. 11, 1996); Docket #FIC 1996-153; Tracey Thomas and The Hartford Courant v. Legal Affairs Unit, State of Connecticut, Department of Public Safety (Nov. 20, 1996); Docket #FIC1995-419; Robie Irizarry v. Warden, Willard Correctional Institution, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction (Oct. 23, 1996); Docket #FIC 1995-368; Thomas Lally v. Executive Director, State of Connecticut Board of Education and Services for the Blind, and Special Projects Coordinator, State of Connecticut, Board of Education and Services for the Blind (Oct. 9, 1996); Docket #FIC 1995-403; Jesse C. Leavenworth and The Hartford Courant v. Superintendent of Schools, Regional School District #7 (Sept. 25, 1996); Docket #FIC 1995-361; Christopher Hoffman and the New Haven Register v. James J. McGrath, Chief of Police, Ansonia Police Department and Eugene K. Baron, Brian Phipps, and Howard Tinney as members of the Ansonia Board of Police Commissioners (Sept. 25, 1996); Docket #FIC1995-358; Lyn Bixby and The Hartford Courant v. State of Connecticut, Department of Administrative Services (Sept. 25, 1996); Docket #FIC 1996-056; Francine Cimino v. Chief of Police, Glastonbury Police Department; Town Manager, Town of Glastonbury; and Town of Glastonbury (Sept. 25, 1996); Docket #FIC 1995-343; John J. Woodcock, III v. Town Manager, Town of South Windsor (July 24, 1996); Docket #FIC 1995-324; John J. Woodcock, III and Kathryn A. Hale v. Dana Whitman, Jr., Acting Town Manager, Town of South Windsor (July 24, 1996); Docket #FIC 95-251; Lyn Bixby & The Hartford Courant v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction (July 10, 1996); Docket #FIC 1995-252; Valerie Finholm and The Hartford Courant v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (May 22, 1996); Docket #FIC 1995-193; Terence P. Sexton v. Chief of Police, Hartford Police Department (May 8, 1996); Docket #FIC 1995-125; Chris Powell and Journal Inquirer v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (March 13, 1996); Docket #FIC 1995-081; Bruce Bellm, Kendres Lally, Philip Cater, Peter Hughes, Carol Northrop, Brad Pellissier, Todd Higgins and Bruce Garrison v. State of Connecticut, Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, Sharon Story and Marlene Fein (March 13, 1996); Docket #FIC 1995-074; Jeffrey C. Cole and WFSB/TV 3 v. James Strillacci, Chief of Police, West Hartford Police Department (Jan. 24, 1996); Docket #FIC 1995-026; Curtis R. Wood v. Director of Affirmative Action, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction (Jan. 24, 1996); Docket #FIC 1995-132; Michael A. Ingrassia v. Warden, Walker Special Management Unit, State of Connecticut Department of Correction (Dec. 27, 1995); Docket #FIC 1995-048; Jane Holfelder v. Canton Police Department (June 14, 1995); Docket #FIC 1994-351; Edward A. Peruta v. O. Paul Shew, Rocky Hill Town Manager and Director of Public Safety; Donald Unwin, Mayor of Rocky Hill, William Pacelia, Deputy Mayor of Rocky Hill; and Curt Roggi, Rocky Hill Town Attorney (May 28, 1995); Docket #FIC 1994-160; John Springer and The Bristol Press v. Chief of Police, Bristol Police Department (April 5, 1995); Docket #FIC 1994-077; Kathryn Kranhold and The Hartford Courant v. Director, New Haven Health Department (Feb. 8, 1995); Docket #FIC 1994-099; Frank Faraci, Jr. v. Middletown Police Department, Mayor of Middletown, and Middletown City Attorney (Feb. 2, 1995); Docket #FIC 1994-011; Robert Grabar, Edward Frede and The News-Times v. Superintendent of Schools, Brookfield Public Schools and Brookfield Board of Education (Aug. 24, 1994); Docket #FIC 1993-279; Jay Lewin v. New Milford Director of Finance (March 23, 1994).

  

2. Affidavit of Eric Turner, January 9, 2002.

 

AFFIDAVIT OF ERIC V. TURNER

 

Eric V. Turner, having been duly sworn, does hereby depose as follows:

 

1.  I am over the age of eighteen (18) years and understand the obligation of an affirmation.

 

2.  I am a member of the Connecticut Bar and am currently employed as Director of Public Education for the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission, having first been employed by said commission in 1996.

 

3.  I am providing this affidavit in light of the Supreme Court decision in Director, Retirement & Benefits Services Division v. Freedom of Information Commission, 256 Conn. 764 (2001), in which the court apparently invites a reconsideration of Perkins v. Freedom of Information Commission, 228 Conn. 158 (1993).  See, Director, supra at 782, fn 13, 785 (Zarella, J. concurring).

 

4.  As part of my responsibilities as Director of Public Education for said commission, I have developed, organized and scheduled speaking engagements, seminars and programs explaining the duties and rights established under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act.

 

5.  Since I assumed my current position in 1996, there have been approximately 290 such speaking engagements, seminars and programs in Connecticut and I have personally lectured in approximately 80 such speaking engagements, seminars and programs.

 

6.  As part of the presentation I have prepared for such speaking engagements, seminars and programs, the subject of the Connecticut General Statues Section 1-210(b)(2) exemption for personnel, medical and similar files the disclosure of which would constitute an invasion of personal privacy is stressed because of the great interest in that exemption and the confusion generated by a series of inconsistent and contradictory court decisions prior to Perkins, supra.  See, e.g., Chairman v. Freedom of Information Commission, 217 Conn. 193 (1991) (establishing “reasonable expectation of privacy” test; query whether subjectively or objectively applied) and Board of Education v. Freedom of Information Commission, 210 Conn. 590 (1989) (confirming a “balancing” test), which was overruled by the Chairman case.

 

7.  Since the Supreme Court ruling in Perkins, supra, all Freedom of Information Commission staff members who conduct such speaking engagements, seminars and programs discuss in detail the rulings in that case and its progeny.

 

8.  As part of my responsibilities as Director of Public Education, I also answer telephone and other inquiries from public officials and the public.  Since my employment with said commission, I have answered thousands of such inquiries, including hundreds of inquiries concerning the Connecticut General Statutes Section 1-210(b)(2) exemption.  In responding to such inquiries I discuss in detail the Perkins case and its progeny.

 

9.  Based on the foregoing experiences, it is my opinion that the Perkins decision, and its progeny, have had a beneficial effect on public officials and the public itself because they can rely on a now long-standing and clear test with respect to the Connecticut General Statutes Section 1-210(b)(2) exemption, which helps them determine whether that exemption is applicable to the practical problems they encounter with respect to personnel, medical and similar information.  Indeed, the many court and Freedom of Information Commission decisions applying the Perkins test have given public officials and the public a now consistent body of law concerning that statutory exemption.

 

 

Eric V. Turner

 

 

 

COUNTY OF HARTFORD

                                                            ss:  Hartford

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

 

Subscribed and attested to before me this 9th day of January, 2002.

 

 

Mitchell W. Pearlman

Commissioner of the Superior Court