Rowland's chamber consulting job funded by Waterbury, but records private, FOI officer says

HARTFORD — Former Gov. John Rowland’s consulting job with the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce was funded by that city’s taxpayers, but documents pertaining to his work with the private group are not public records, a hearing officer for the state Freedom of Information Commission said in a proposed final decision.

The commission will vote on the proposed finding by attorney Lisa Siegel at its next meeting on May 8. Siegel’s finding was signed April 18 and mailed last week to the New Haven Register.

Siegel found that no statute entitles the paper to receive a copy of the Chamber of Commerce’s records concerning Rowland’s employment. Among 21 findings, she specifically stated that the chamber is a private organization, although that was not an issue raised in the complaint.

The paper argued at a hearing on April 2 that the matter was “a classic case of ‘hide the ball’” and the city did not have the legal authority to subcontract away the public’s right to know ...

Complete Article at New Haven Register

Video, FOI hearing 4-2-13 on Rowland records

Hearing officer story also at:

Register Citizen

Middletown Press

FLASHBACK:

Waterbury Chamber: Rowland visited office ‘once in a while’ for $100,000-a-year job

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