The city of Hartford is at it again. Officials are throwing away scarce taxpayer dollars by foolishly appealing a Superior Court ruling that upheld a $400 Freedom of Information Commission fine against a city attorney.
This comes after the city had already wasted $30,000 in legal fees to appeal the commission’s ruling that ordered the city to disclose documents handed over to the Chief State’s Attorney office for a corruption probe of Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez and his administration.
Although the city in February turned over the requested documents to The Hartford Courant, which lodged the FOI complaint, it continues to fight the $400 fine lodged personally against Carl Nasto, the deputy corporation counsel.
What are Hartford officials thinking? The city has many more pressing needs where tax dollars should be spent, from increasing police presence to job training.
The expenditure of $30,000 was wasteful. Additional spending over a $400 fine is clearly self-indulgent.
The FOI Commission and Superior Court got it right. Municipalities should always lean toward disclosure of public documents. Following the rulings, Hartford officials’ stubborn stance reveals their true attitude about transparency and secrecy.
Hartford officials have it wrong. They need to stop wasting taxpayer dollars in a vain attempt to prove a point.
Pay the fine, Mr. Nasto.
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