FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION

OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

 

In the Matter of a Complaint by                        Final Decision

 

Lorraine Tirella,

 

                                Complainant

 

                against                   Docket #FIC 95-184

 

Theresa Atwood, Jeremiah Cannon, Jr.,Harold Nelson, Joseph Persico, Jr.,

David Babina, Gerald Gallant, Linda McIntyre, Kathleen Nelson, Julianne

Ramia and Oxford Board of Education,

 

                                Respondents                        March 13, 1996

 

                The above-captioned matter was heard as a contested case on December 6, 1995, at which time the complainant and respondents 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 respondents are public agencies within the meaning of 1-18a(a), G.S.

 

                2.             By letter of complaint dated and filed with this Commission on May 6, 1995, the complainant alleged non-compliance with the Commission's final decision in Docket #FIC 94-438.  The complainant requested the imposition of civil penalties.

 

                3.             The Commission takes administrative notice of the record, decisions and case file in Docket #FIC 94-438, Tirella v. Oxford Board of Education ("FIC 94-438").

 

                4.             It is found that the respondent has failed to provide the complainant with the record at issue in FIC 94-438 in violation of the Commission's order in that case.

 

                5.             It is found that the respondents' failure to comply with the complainant's records request and this Commission's order are without reasonable grounds.

 

Docket #FIC 95-184                                             Page 2

 

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

 

                1.             The respondents shall comply with the Commission's order in FIC 94-438 within seven days of the receipt of the notice of final decision in this case.  Failure to do so shall result in the referral of this matter to the appropriate state's attorney for criminal prosecution under 1-21k(b), G.S.

 

                2.             The respondents shall remit to this Commission, within thirty days of the date of notice of final decision in this case, a civil penalty in the amount of four hundred and fifty dollars ($450.00).

 

                3.             The Commission cautions the respondents that any future violations of the Freedom of Information ("FOI") Act may result in the imposition of the maximum civil penalty and other sanctions permitted by law.

 

                4.             Finally, the Commission admonishes the respondents for their utter lack of accountability, care, concern and diligence in complying with the FOI Act and the Commission's order in FIC 94-438.  The respondents' actions in this case exemplify poor government.  By failing to take seriously the Commission's order in FIC 94-438, the respondents have continued to unnecessarily burden this Commission, and deprive other citizens of their opportunity to be heard.

 

Approved by Order of the Freedom of Information Commission at its regular meeting of March 13, 1996.

 

                                                                             

                                                Elizabeth A. Leifert

                                                Acting Clerk of the Commission

 

Docket #FIC 95-184                                             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:

Lorraine Tirella

11 Larkey Road

Oxford, CT 06478

 

Theresa Atwood, Jeremiah Cannon, Jr., Harold Nelson, Joseph Persico, Jr., David Babina, Gerald Gallant, Linda McIntyre, Kathleen Nelson, Julianne Ramia and Oxford Board of Education

c/o Michael Abdalla, Superintendent of Schools

429 Oxford Road

Oxford, CT 06478-1231

 

                                                                             

                                                Elizabeth A. Leifert

                                                Acting Clerk of the Commission