The George Mason University Foundation Inc. is an independent corporate entity whose records are not subject to freedom-of-information requirements, even if the records relate to funds used to support the University, itself a public body. Nonetheless, the University’s Gift Acceptance ...

Tagged with: Corporate Education Fairfax County Circuit Court FOIA Government Judge John M. Tran Public Records Virginia Circuit Courts

A company waived the confidentiality of its business information presented at trial. First Amendment principles and the company’s failure to follow Local Rule 5(C) also weighed against sealing the records. Background In this products liability action, a jury trial was ...

Tagged with: Business Law Civil Procedure Constitutional First Amendment Judge Robert E. Payne Public Records U.S. District Court - Eastern District

An affidavit alleging open-meeting violations by a county board of supervisors was sufficient to support a FOIA petition when the affiant swore to her belief in matters presented on information, the Virginia Supreme Court held. Background Appellant Marian Bragg alleges ...

Tagged with: Chief justice Donald Lemons Municipal Public Records Supreme Court of Virginia

An affidavit alleging open-meeting violations by a county board of supervisors was sufficient to support a FOIA petition when the affiant swore to her belief in matters presented on information. Background Appellant Marian Bragg alleges that the Rappahannock County Board ...

Tagged with: Chief Justice Donald W. Lemons Civil Rights FOIA Public Records Supreme Court of Virginia

When a county initially estimated almost $900 for records-request compliance but later revised the estimate down to $200, it could not then charge an actual cost of more than $1,300 without consulting further with the requesting party. Background Petitioner Nelson ...

Tagged with: Civil Rights FOIA Judge Paul W. Cella Powhatan County Circuit Court Public Records Virginia Circuit Courts