On May 8, 2024, the First Amendment Coalition filed a motion to intervene in Shelton v. Napa Valley Unified School District, a “reverse CPRA” lawsuit that seeks to prevent the release of public records regarding a former public school teacher’s alleged sexual abuse of students.
A reverse CPRA lawsuit seeks to prevent a government agency from releasing records in response to a California Public Records Act (CPRA) request. Reverse CPRA lawsuits are often brought by the subject of the records that are sought. In this case, Matthew Shelton, a former public school teacher who was previously charged with sexual misconduct while working in the Napa Valley Unified School District and is currently facing similar charges from his time teaching for Benicia Unified School District, brought a reverse CPRA lawsuit against both school districts to prevent them releasing documents responsive to a CPRA request filed by reporter Holly McDede.
FAC represents McDede, who covers sexual misconduct in schools, and has previously written about Shelton’s case for the Vallejo Sun. She made CPRA requests for records of Shelton’s misconduct, employment records, any separation or settlement agreements, and other documents from both the Napa Valley and Benicia school districts. But before either district released all records sought by McDede, Shelton filed the reverse CPRA lawsuit, and a temporary order directed the districts to withhold the records until the case is considered.
FAC’s motion asks the court to permit McDede to intervene in Shelton v. Napa Valley Unified School District and allow FAC to argue that the court should dismiss Shelton’s reverse CPRA lawsuit, which will permit the districts to release the documents requested by McDede.
Press Release: FAC to Intervene in Lawsuit that Attempts to Prohibit Disclosure of Public Records
Legal Documents:
- Declaration of Holly McDede in Support of Memo in Opposition to Preliminary Injunction (5/31/2024)
- Intervenor Holly McDede’s Memo in Opposition to Preliminary Injunction (5/31/2024)
- Order Granting Holly McDede Leave to Intervene (5/20/2024)
- Notice of Ex Parte Application and Ex Parte Application for an Order Granting Proposed Intervenor Holly McDede Leave to Intervene (5/8/2024)
- Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Support of Ex Parte Application for an Order Granting Proposed Intervenor Holly McDede Leave to Intervene (5/8/2024)
- Declaration of Holly McDede (5/8/2024)
- Declaration of David Loy (5/8/2024)