Not an open records article per se, but this audit of spending abuses at Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance reminded me of KEMI's early days when it disputed its public agency status under the open records law.

In 1997, then Attorney General Ben Chandler received an open records appeal from the late, great Mark Chellgren of the Associated Press. "Bones" challenged KEMI's position. He prevailed, and I was privileged to write the open records decision which is linked here at: https://ag.ky.gov/orom/19971/97ORD066.htm

To the best of my knowledge KEMI did not appeal the AG's ruling to the courts. Public agency attitudes toward the open records law have dramatically changed in 20 plus years.

A good reminder that "the public's 'right to know' under the Open Records Act is premised upon the public's right to expect its agencies properly to execute their statutory functions. In general, inspection of records may reveal whether the public servants are indeed serving the public, and the policy of disclosure provides impetus for an agency steadfastly to pursue the public good."

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