After lawsuit, Northwestern DA’s office releases Brady records naming officers

After a lawsuit filed by journalist Andrew Quemere, the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office released Brady records detailing officers with records of misconduct or criminal accusations. The release followed a December ruling by Judge Julie Green, who found the DA’s office had improperly withheld the information despite a January 2022 request from Quemere. The records, dating back to 1963, include information on over 30 individuals, primarily police officers, and detail offenses ranging from DUI to false testimony.

Quemere criticized the DA’s office for initially redacting names and for arguing the information was exempt under CORI law while previously releasing similar information in press releases. While pleased with the release, he expressed disappointment that the judge didn’t find the DA’s office acted in bad faith. The DA’s office maintains its commitment to transparency and strong relationships with law enforcement.

The released records also reflect a recent Supreme Court ruling that prosecutors are not required to disclose pending civil suits against officers unless a finding of liability has been made. The case highlights broader issues with transparency in Massachusetts public records law, with Quemere noting varying levels of compliance across different districts and the difficulty of obtaining legal representation for public records disputes.

(Source：Greenfield Recorder)