Posted September 17, 2004.

Indianapolis Library and Newspaper in Court over Legal Fees

Attorneys for the Indianapolis–Marion County Public Library appeared in court September 15 to argue against paying legal fees the Indianapolis Star incurred in an attempt to force library officials to produce documents showing how much it had paid consultants during a dispute with a building contractor.

The newspaper contends IMCPL should pay the $8,600 it cost to file the lawsuit against the library in July, the Star reported September 16. Library attorney Greg Hahn countered that IMCPL had always intended to provide the documents and taxpayers should not be forced to pay the legal fees of a private company. “Part of our profession is to protect our attorney-client privilege,” Hahn said, adding that the delay was caused by redacting the documents before release.

Marion Superior County Court Judge Thomas Carroll advised both parties to resolve the matter on their own prior to their next court appearance in November.

Posted September 17, 2004.