17-62-MMS| November 16, 2017
BILOXI, Miss. – The Mississippi Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the Department of Marine Resources didn’t violate the state’s Public Records Act in 2013 when it did not release records pertaining to the investigation of the agency.
The Supreme Court stated in its opinion that, “We disagree with the Chancery Court’s finding that DMR violated the Mississippi Public Records Act. The record illustrates … that DMR acted in good faith to resolve the public records request.”
The Court also found that the DMR is not liable for attorney’s fees, costs and expenses.
Gulf Publishing filed a lawsuit in January of 2013 to obtain records from MDMR that were at the center of the state and federal investigations.
The case has been ongoing since that time.
“I am pleased with the Court’s ruling,” said Jamie Miller, executive director of MDMR. “It confirms our handling of the requested public records was done appropriately and within the law.”
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the DMR online at dmr.ms.gov.
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