Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson and his city attorney are working overtime to block media attempts to access to e-mails in personal accounts used to conduct public business. Johnson has even resorted to sue his own government and a local newspaper to prevent that access. (Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, September 22, 2015, by Adam Marshall)
The impetus for the records request came in the aftermath of Johnson’s involvement in the demise of the National Conference of Black Mayors in 2013. Johnson’s allies claim the records involving the conference were exempt under the attorney/client privilege even though Johnson used his own staff to conduct conference business. Deadspin is also seeking access to documents under California’s public records act. (Deadspin, September 18, 2015, by Dave McKenna)