A settlement has been reached to resolve the lingering dispute over how Governor Blunt’s office managed e-mail correspondence.
Special investigators for the Attorney General’s office have asked Cole County Circuit Judge Richard Callahan to accept the settlement, finalized after a morning meeting in the governor’s office today.
An investigation began after complaints were filed with the Attorney General that the governor’s office violated both the state records retention law and the open records law, commonly referred to as the Sunshine Law.
The settlement gives Special Master Frank Connelly, a retired circuit judge, unfettered access to back-up tapes and CD’s/DVD’s which contain restored e-mails and gives him authority to resolve differences over about 200 e-mails the governor’s office claims are exempt from the Sunshine Law. The original investigation undertaken by C.E. Fisher, a retired State Highway Patrol superintendent, and Rick Wilhoit will be completed and they have the option of writing a report by January 26th. The governor’s office will have the right to respond.
If Judge Callahan signs off on the agreement and the record inspection is completed, Governor Blunt and his office will be dismissed from the case and it will be concluded.