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Administrative Law Keyed to Cass
Department of Justice v. Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Citation:
489 U.S. 749 (1989)Facts
CBS news correspondent and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press requested criminal history information concerning four members of the Medico family after the Pennsylvania Crime Commission identified their company, Medico Industries, as a legitimate business dominated by organized crime figures that allegedly obtained defense contracts through improper arrangements with a corrupt Congressman. The FBI maintained rap sheets containing arrest records, indictments, convictions, and sentences compiled from state and local law enforcement agencies. After three family members died, the FBI provided their records but refused to confirm or deny whether it possessed information about Charles Medico’s nonfinancial criminal history. Respondents argued the information was already public record and relevant to understanding potential government corruption and defense contracting procedures.
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