GaryMrMets
01-30-2003, 02:19 AM
Court Might Release Twins' Records
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Minnesota Court of Appeals is considering a request from news organizations for a ruling that could help gain access to 9,000 pages of financial documents belonging to the Minnesota Twins.
A three-judge panel questioned John Borger, a lawyer for the media organizations, during a hearing Tuesday, sometimes indicating skepticism about his legal arguments.
Media want access to documents turned over to the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, which operates the Metrodome, during the commission's lawsuit to keep the Twins in Minnesota and prevent Major League Baseball from eliminating the team. After the case was settled last June and the team agreed to stay, the Twins and baseball wanted the computer disk containing the documents returned immediately.
Last July, Hennepin County District Judge Harry Seymour Crump ordered the commission to either return the disk to the Twins or destroy it. The Star Tribune, the Associated Press and KARE-TV appealed.
Media organizations contend the public should have a right to pursue claims of access to documents received by government agencies during litigation. In their argument to the court, they said there has been intense public interest in the case and in issues regarding public funding of a new stadium.
The news organizations also seek a chance to review a document filed by Major League Baseball concerned banking interests of Twins owner Carl Pohlad.
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Minnesota Court of Appeals is considering a request from news organizations for a ruling that could help gain access to 9,000 pages of financial documents belonging to the Minnesota Twins.
A three-judge panel questioned John Borger, a lawyer for the media organizations, during a hearing Tuesday, sometimes indicating skepticism about his legal arguments.
Media want access to documents turned over to the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, which operates the Metrodome, during the commission's lawsuit to keep the Twins in Minnesota and prevent Major League Baseball from eliminating the team. After the case was settled last June and the team agreed to stay, the Twins and baseball wanted the computer disk containing the documents returned immediately.
Last July, Hennepin County District Judge Harry Seymour Crump ordered the commission to either return the disk to the Twins or destroy it. The Star Tribune, the Associated Press and KARE-TV appealed.
Media organizations contend the public should have a right to pursue claims of access to documents received by government agencies during litigation. In their argument to the court, they said there has been intense public interest in the case and in issues regarding public funding of a new stadium.
The news organizations also seek a chance to review a document filed by Major League Baseball concerned banking interests of Twins owner Carl Pohlad.