Voice of San Diego sues county over refusal to disclose whistleblower complaints against former contractor
San Diego Today
Voice of San Diego has filed a lawsuit against San Diego County in an effort to force the release of whistleblower complaints against a former county contractor. This marks the latest legal dispute between the county and the news organization over public records access, even as county leaders tout their commitment to transparency.
The case highlights an apparent disconnect between the county's public rhetoric around transparency and its actions in fighting the release of records that could shed light on what officials knew about potential improprieties involving a former contractor. The county's refusal to disclose the records conflicts with state laws requiring the release of misconduct records when allegations are substantiated.
The latest dispute involves a whistleblower report that the District Attorney's office cited when announcing felony charges against the former chief operating officer of the Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego. Voice of San Diego submitted a public records request for that 2023 report and other complaints filed about the nonprofit, but the county refused to release the documents. County officials claimed the public interest in withholding the records outweighed the public interest in disclosure, citing privacy concerns and a potential 'chilling effect' on future whistleblowers.
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