Press files lawsuit for Atlantic City health benefits report

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Press files lawsuit for Atlantic City health benefits report

By REGINA SCHAFFER Staff Writer, 609-272-7211

Published: Friday, June 27, 2008

The city of Atlantic City violated the Open Public Records Act by refusing to provide an uncensored copy of its health benefits audit report, according to a lawsuit filed by The Press of Atlantic City.

A Press staff writer filed a request in May under the Open Public Records Act for the report - now the subject of an investigation - but received a copy in which all employee names and hiring dates were blacked out, according to the suit filed by Press attorney Christopher Day.

Authorities opened an investigation into the city's health system after the audit revealed current and former employees were improperly receiving benefits.

City officials confirmed last week that at least two city employees were issued subpoenas recently regarding the report. The censored report was publicly released May 21 with a news release from the Mayor's Office, saying the mismanagement cost the city at least $1 million in 2007 alone.

It remains unclear what law-enforcement agency is behind the investigation.

"The Press made repeated good-faith efforts to secure the requested government records prior to instituting this litigation," the suit states. "But for the defendant's refusal to comply with the requirements of OPRA ... this litigation would not have been necessary."

The suit seeks a copy of the city's health benefits audit report with the names, dates of hire, positions, types of coverage and retirement date for each individual, as well as attorneys fees and court costs.

To e-mail Regina Schaffer at The Press:

RSchaffer@pressofac.com