A Scramble For Sheriff’s Emails About FirstNet

The unlikely Iowa sheriff who criticized the FirstNet board of directors earlier this year is now embroiled in another controversy, this time over email messages he has sent and received over the past year about the project. The Web site Politico made a public records request in July for the emails, presumably to examine any links between Story County sheriff Paul Fitzgerald, federal government agencies or companies that might have an interest in FirstNet business. Fitzgerald sits on FirstNet’s board of directors. But the release was opposed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), who claims the emails are the property of the U.S. government, contain confidential information, and whose release would jeopardize the administration of the FirstNet project. Ironically, Story County officials approved release of the emails based on the state’s open records law, and Fitzgerald himself has already turned over the emails to the U.S. Department of Commerce. The FirstNet project aims to create a nationwide, broadband data network for public safety agencies, and is in the early stages of creating an administrative structure for the $7 billion project. Last year Fitzgerald claimed some FirstNet board members were withholding information from other members and were making private decisions. But last month an investigative panel reported that FirstNet’s operations were entirely proper and legal. The DOJ filed a restraining order against Story County officials last August after they voted to release the emails, and an associated lawsuit claims the emails contain technical and policy information that is under non-disclosure agreements. Politico has written stories claiming that Motorola is actively opposed to FirstNet, and is working through consultants and lobbyists to expand that opposition. Motorola has defended its contacts with consultants, and says it’s common in the industry to seek their counsel. Download (pdf) the DOJ lawsuit and injunction here, and read more about the email debate here. Check Politico stories about the FirstNet project here.