On October 31, 2012, in response to a request by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a Montana court released the presentence investigation report (PSI) regarding State Sen. Gregory Barkus. In 2009, Sen. Barkus pleaded guilty to felony charges for recklessly piloting and crashing a speedboat while under the influence of alcohol. All four passengers were injured in the crash, including Rep. Dennis Rehberg (R-MT). Another wound up in a coma for 10 days. In evaluating CREW’s request for the PSI, the court agreed with our argument that under the Montana state constitution, the public has the right to learn the details of a crash involving elected leaders. Out of concern for privacy, the court ordered some material be redacted, such as Sen. Barkus’ home address, his health and financial profile, personal information about the victims, witnesses, and investigators, three victim impact statements, letters submitted in support of Sen. Barkus, and personal information about a consultant.
Original Title
CREW: Clerk of Court for Flathead County, MT: Regarding Rep. Rehberg's Role in Boat Crash: 10/31/2012 - 11th District Court Order to Release 2 PSI
On October 31, 2012, in response to a request by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a Montana court released the presentence investigation report (PSI) regarding State Sen. Gregory Barkus. In 2009, Sen. Barkus pleaded guilty to felony charges for recklessly piloting and crashing a speedboat while under the influence of alcohol. All four passengers were injured in the crash, including Rep. Dennis Rehberg (R-MT). Another wound up in a coma for 10 days. In evaluating CREW’s request for the PSI, the court agreed with our argument that under the Montana state constitution, the public has the right to learn the details of a crash involving elected leaders. Out of concern for privacy, the court ordered some material be redacted, such as Sen. Barkus’ home address, his health and financial profile, personal information about the victims, witnesses, and investigators, three victim impact statements, letters submitted in support of Sen. Barkus, and personal information about a consultant.
On October 31, 2012, in response to a request by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a Montana court released the presentence investigation report (PSI) regarding State Sen. Gregory Barkus. In 2009, Sen. Barkus pleaded guilty to felony charges for recklessly piloting and crashing a speedboat while under the influence of alcohol. All four passengers were injured in the crash, including Rep. Dennis Rehberg (R-MT). Another wound up in a coma for 10 days. In evaluating CREW’s request for the PSI, the court agreed with our argument that under the Montana state constitution, the public has the right to learn the details of a crash involving elected leaders. Out of concern for privacy, the court ordered some material be redacted, such as Sen. Barkus’ home address, his health and financial profile, personal information about the victims, witnesses, and investigators, three victim impact statements, letters submitted in support of Sen. Barkus, and personal information about a consultant.