AG Schimel Fights Court Ruling To Release Training Videos

Attorney General Brad Schimel is asking the state Supreme Court to block the release of training videos that the Democratic Party sought under the open records law.

The party sued for release of the tapes last year, claiming that they include Schimel making inappropriate comments while training prosecutors how to convict sex predators. This week, a unanimous appeals court panel upheld a lower court ruling ordering their release.

In his petition to the high court, Schimel argues the videos should remain sealed because they include sensitive information about both victims and predators. Freedom of information Council President Bill Lueders said Schimel appears to be standing firm.

“I assume he’s making this objection in good faith, but it is contrary to the finding of a circuit court judge and a panel of appellate court judges,” he said.

Both courts ruled the videos contain routine training material and won’t violate victims privacy or deter sex predator investigations.