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Orting council authorizes litigation seeking injunction over three inmate public-records requests
Summary
City Attorney Lloyd asked the Orting City Council to authorize filing a civil action under RCW 42.56.565 to stop what staff described as overbroad public-records requests from three inmates; the council approved the resolution authorizing litigation (Resolution 2026-13).
The Orting City Council on May 13 authorized the city attorney to file a civil action seeking a court injunction to relieve the city from responding to three public-records requests submitted by inmates at the Airway Heights Correctional Center, pending the filing and any judicial outcome.
City Attorney Lloyd told the council the requests were, in staff's assessment, "overburdensome" and appeared to be an attempt to extract money from the city; he cited state law RCW 42.56.565 as authorizing a government entity to seek injunctive relief when a request presents an abuse of the Public Records Act. Lloyd said the resolution would allow the city to seek a judicial determination that an injunction is warranted and would absolve the city of liability for failing to respond while the injunction is in place.
Deputy Mayor Jeff Sproul moved the resolution and Councilmember Torres seconded the motion; the council voted to approve the resolution (recorded as Resolution 2026-13 in the meeting packet). Lloyd told the council he will proceed with filing the civil action in Pierce County Superior Court on behalf of the city.
The council did not receive public comment specifically about these records requests during the meeting. The decision authorizes litigation but does not record any court ruling; any legal findings or remedies will depend on subsequent filings and judicial review.
