Attorney General Ashley Moody has taken legal action against the Atlantic Coast Conference for withholding public records related to ESPN-related agreements. The ACC has allegedly made claims that could potentially cost Florida State University over half a billion dollars. Attorney General Moody initially requested the ACC to produce the contracts in January, but the ACC refused to comply, leading to the lawsuit filed today.
In a statement, Attorney General Ashley Moody expressed her concerns, saying, “The ACC is asking a state entity—Florida State University—to potentially pay and lose more than a half a billion dollars but is refusing to produce the documents related to that outrageous price tag." She emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, especially in matters involving public funds.
The legal action filed in the Circuit Court of the Second Judicial Circuit argues that the media rights contracts should be considered public records due to their connection to the official business of a public state university. Attorney General Moody contends that documents, even if prepared and maintained by a private organization, should be disclosed if they were received by agents of a public agency and used in connection with public business.
Attorney General Moody is seeking the court's intervention to compel the ACC to release the requested records promptly. The lawsuit highlights the significance of ensuring that matters of public concern are not shielded from public scrutiny, even if they are held by private organizations acting on behalf of governmental entities.
For further details on the lawsuit and the legal proceedings, interested parties can access the full document through the provided link. Attorney General Moody's dedication to upholding transparency and accountability in public affairs is evident in her relentless pursuit of access to essential public records.