Public Officials Private E-mails Are Public Records
California officials will not be able to shield discussions related to government business by using a private phone or computer.
The California Supreme Court ruled this morning that any e-mail, text or voicemail related to official government business is a public record. A lawsuit was filed in San Jose regarding city council members communications about a proposed downtown development. Community Activist Ted Smith filed a public records request, but was told by San Jose leaders that private devices were not covered by the public records act. Â Critics have argued that some government officials across the state have tried to avoid correspondences being under public record rules by using a private device or e-mail, as opposed to the government issued accounts and devices.
The ruling now has statewide implications. The California Supreme Court’s decision was unanimous.