Font ResizeThe Salt Lake Tribune is asking the state to pay its legal fees if the newspaper wins a lawsuit seeking a letter sent to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.
The Tribune made the petition Tuesday in an answer filed as part of the lawsuit. The newspaper is seeking a letter Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff sent Holder in March.
The letter complained about Brett Tolman, the U.S. attorney for Utah. Shurtleff and Tolman have discussed the letter in general terms but have denied Tribune requests for a copy.
The state records committee in September ruled the letter is a public document and ordered it disclosed to The Tribune . Shurtleff's office appealed that ruling by filing a lawsuit in state court. No trial date is scheduled.
The court filings thus far have repeated arguments made to the state records committee. Shurtleff's office contends the letter was a private communication and disclosing it is not in the public interest.
The Tribune has argued the letter represents official government business and the public has an interest in knowing about conflicts between the top state and federal law enforcers.
Requests for legal fees have become common in open record lawsuits. In 2008, the city of Sandy had to pay The Tribune more than $30,000 when the newspaper won a court battle for records of that city's employee bonuses.
