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Arkansas AG: House Harassment Document Not Releasable To Public

Leslie Rutledge Attorney General
Talk Business & Politics

Arkansas' top attorney says a document related to a harassment complaint involving a lawmaker within the past nine years doesn't have to be released to the public since it's considered an employee evaluation record.

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge says in an advisory opinion that a witness statement connected to the harassment investigation is exempt from release since it didn't result in anyone's suspension or termination.

House Speaker Jeremy Gillam sought the AG's opinion in response to an open records request by The Associated Press for any records related to sexual harassment or misconduct complaints made against legislators since 2008.

Gillam declined Monday to release more details about the allegation, including the nature of the complaint and when it was made.

The Associated Press is one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering, supplying a steady stream of news to its members, international subscribers and commercial customers. AP is neither privately owned nor government-funded; instead, it's a not-for-profit news cooperative owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members.