Government Records Can Be Withheld from Public

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Supreme Court says government officials may refuse to allow public inspection of some documents they relied on in reaching final decisions on policy matters.

The court ruled Thursday on a legal challenge from Robert Aland, a tax attorney who divides his time between Wyoming and Illinois. Aland sued after the state refused to disclose some records concerning grizzly bear management.

The court ruled Wyoming's public records law allows public officials to withhold records they relied on in reaching a final decision provided disclosure wouldn't be in the public interest.

Cheyenne lawyer Bruce Moats represents Aland.

Moats says he's disappointed and fears officials will point to the ruling to withhold a wide variety of documents from the public.

An attempt to reach Wyoming AG Peter Michael wasn't immediately successful.