Washington County Attorney accused of violating open records law

The Iowa Public Information Board has charged Washington County Attorney Larry Brock with violating Iowa's open records law -- the first charges for the new board created to enforce access to state government.

The nine-member board will hear Brock's case July 10 in Des Moines.

If he's found to have violated open records law, he could face a civil fine of up to $500 and reasonable attorney's fees. But if he 'knowingly violated” the law, damages could reach up to $2,500.

The charges stem from the Jan. 27 dismissal of Robert Bellmer from the Washington County Conservation Board, according to the May 30 petition filed by the IPIB.

Using Iowa's Open Records Law, Iowa Code Section 22.2, Bellmer asked Brock twice for copies of all correspondence between Conservation Board members and Brock from Nov. 1, 2013, through March 1, 2014.

Brock never responded, the IPIB wrote.

IPIB Deputy Director Margaret Johnson notified Brock of the complaint against him, but Brock still did not provide the documents to Bellmer. The IPIB voted May 15 to send Brock a letter asking for him to seek an informal resolution by May 27 or face charges. Brock did not respond to the board's letter, IPIB said.

Brock has the right to produce evidence at the July 10 public hearing, cross-examine witnesses and examine documents produced by the IPIB, the board said.

Brock is out of the office this week and did not immediately return an email for this story. He lost the Republican primary earlier this month, so will serve only through the end of the year. Republican Shawn Showers will face Democrat Barb Edmondson in the November election for county attorney.

The Iowa Legislature created the IPIB in 2012, but the board didn't start accepting complaints until last July. The board has the authority to issue informal advice and declaratory orders as well as institute civil fines.