Mooresville board directs legal staff to release documents related to pending federal lawsuits where lawful
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Summary
After a closed session, the Mooresville Town Board moved to have legal staff release any documents that state statute allows related to two pending federal lawsuits; the motion passed by voice vote amid calls for transparency from several commissioners and cautions to confirm legality before release.
After returning from closed session on Feb. 11, Mooresville’s mayor asked the clerk to read a state statute governing release of personnel information. The read statute (transcribed in the meeting record) was cited as the legal basis for the board to consider sharing documents related to pending federal litigation.
The mayor then moved that the town’s legal department make available “any documents that they can legally or information they can legally based upon the state statute” to clarify accusations made against the town, specifically referencing two pending federal lawsuits. Commissioner Dinger and Commissioner West both voiced support for transparency within legal limits; Commissioner Tucker and others urged the board to obtain specific legal guidance about which records may be released.
The motion was made and seconded (the transcript records the mover and seconder inconsistently in places; the board recorded the motion as made and seconded) and was approved by voice vote with 'Aye' responses. No roll-call tally by name was entered in the meeting record.
Board members said the town has outside investigative reports in the personnel files that were commissioned at an earlier stage and that those reports contain information the board believes may be informative to the public if the town’s lawyers determine the documents are legally releasable. Several members emphasized the need to 'get ahead of' social-media-driven allegations but agreed releases should proceed only 'if it's legal' and after legal review.
The board did not specify a release schedule or a list of particular documents in open session; staff were asked to coordinate with the legal department to determine what may be shared under the cited statute and return to the board as appropriate.