Tacoma hit with $300,000 fine for improperly withholding records about surveillance device

[friendly_iconoclast]

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/watchdog/article214028374.html

A Pierce County judge has ordered the City of Tacoma to pay nearly $300,000 in penalties and fees for violating the state's Public Records Act regarding documents dealing with a police surveillance tool called a cell site simulator.

Superior Court Judge G. Helen Whitener ruled earlier this year that the city improperly withheld 11 documents from the American Civil Liberties Union. On Monday, Whitener issued a ruling tallying the cost

▪ $182,340 for violations of the Public Records Act.

▪ $115,530 for attorney fees and other costs.

Whitener said in her ruling that the city deliberately withheld several documents that should have been provided, including spreadsheet with entries that included cell site simulator uses, records provided to 37 prior requestors and emails between the city and the FBI...

[Sherman A1]

1. Good

One wonders however, just who collects the fines? Shifting money from one government agency to another hardly seems like much of a penalty.

[friendly_iconoclast]

2. The money will go to the plaintiffs