News Tribune wins fight with ex-Fife employee over disclosure of records

A former Fife corrections officer seeking to block the city of Fife from releasing public records to The News Tribune is ending his court battle.

The newspaper requested the personnel records of Frank Carrico on July 28. His attorney filed a complaint contending the request violated the state Public Disclosure Act, and that the records “are not of legitimate concern to the public.”

It also stated that disclosing the documents would violate privacy rights.

Carrico resigned in May amid allegations of sexual misconduct with an inmate who said he inappropriately touched and communicated with her in April. An investigation is under review, but no charges have been filed. The Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office says a charging decision could be reached this week.

In response to Carrico’s request, Pierce County Superior Court Judge Ed Murphy granted a 40-day injunction Sept. 22 without the newspaper being notified of the request or of a hearing on the matter.

Judge Bryan Chushcoff reversed the decision Oct. 21, lifting the order that blocked Fife from releasing the records. Carrico appealed Chushcoff’s order, again blocking the release of the documents.

The News Tribune obtained some of the requested records through a public records request to the Kent Police Department, which investigated the allegations against Carrico.

In response, as part of his appeal, Carrico urged the court to order the newspaper to return the Kent records. The appeals court denied the request and others as part of a ruling last week.

Carrico’s attorney has indicated they now will drop the appeal.

This story was originally published December 6, 2014 at 12:00 AM with the headline "News Tribune wins fight with ex-Fife employee over disclosure of records."