In a two year fight in the court system, a Pennsylvania judge ordered the PIAA to release thousands of documents, including financial statements related to District 4 under the state's Right to Know Law. The judge ruled that the PIAA is a "public institution" and therefore its records are open to the public. This case will have a major impact across the state as more filings are being considered for financial purposes of how monies are spent in the PIAA. https://www.dailyitem.com/news/in-wake-of-court-ruling-piaa-must-release-thousands-of-documents/article_4838c5b2-d0d7-11ee-a6e8-4fecdc52f140.html#:~:text=The state Supreme Court ruled,who requested them in 2021.
HARRISBURG — Based on a decision handed down today by the state Supreme Court, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) must now produce thousands of documents, including financial statements from District 4, to a Bucks County man who requested them.
The state Supreme Court ruled today in a court case that has been going on for two years that the PIAA is a public agency and subject to the Right to Know Law.
Therefore, the PIAA must provide documents to Simon Campbell, who requested them in 2021. The requested documents, which the court ruled are public, include receipts or bank statements from PIAA for money spent at a private home in Mifflinburg where District 4 officials at the time held a meeting to discuss Valley athletics.
Some of the records also include various receipts for meetings held at the Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant in Williamsport, and the Sullivan County Country Club, in Sullivan County, where food and alcohol was purchased.
"This is a win for not only for myself and reporters, but for the state of Pennsylvania," Campbell said today.
"The line was now drawn in the sand and after seeing The Daily Item requests, I decided to jump in and help, not just the newspaper but everyone."
Campbell said the victory is important for the state.
"We now have it affirmed that anyone has access to these records," he said. Citizens, reporters, parents, taxpayers can get access to these documents, that’s the most important aspect of this decision."
Campbell said he spent tens of thousands of dollars to get the victory, and he will be seeking the thousands of documents, sooner rather than later.
"I will also be filing another Right to Know here on other things I have come to learn since the time of the first filing," he said.
PIAA officials have not spoken to The Daily Item about the issue, and Executive Director Robert Lombardi refuses comment to the newspaper.
Campbell said he will be speaking to his attorney about when he can expect the original documents he requested from the PIAA.
Campbell said he was saddened because PIAA spent money on attorney fees, the same money PIAA collects from taxpayers.
"That's the shameful part of this," he said. "We paid twice for this."
HARRISBURG — Based on a decision handed down today by the state Supreme Court, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) must now produce thousands of documents, including financial statements from District 4, to a Bucks County man who requested them.
The state Supreme Court ruled today in a court case that has been going on for two years that the PIAA is a public agency and subject to the Right to Know Law.
Therefore, the PIAA must provide documents to Simon Campbell, who requested them in 2021. The requested documents, which the court ruled are public, include receipts or bank statements from PIAA for money spent at a private home in Mifflinburg where District 4 officials at the time held a meeting to discuss Valley athletics.
Some of the records also include various receipts for meetings held at the Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant in Williamsport, and the Sullivan County Country Club, in Sullivan County, where food and alcohol was purchased.
"This is a win for not only for myself and reporters, but for the state of Pennsylvania," Campbell said today.
"The line was now drawn in the sand and after seeing The Daily Item requests, I decided to jump in and help, not just the newspaper but everyone."
Campbell said the victory is important for the state.
"We now have it affirmed that anyone has access to these records," he said. Citizens, reporters, parents, taxpayers can get access to these documents, that’s the most important aspect of this decision."
Campbell said he spent tens of thousands of dollars to get the victory, and he will be seeking the thousands of documents, sooner rather than later.
"I will also be filing another Right to Know here on other things I have come to learn since the time of the first filing," he said.
PIAA officials have not spoken to The Daily Item about the issue, and Executive Director Robert Lombardi refuses comment to the newspaper.
Campbell said he will be speaking to his attorney about when he can expect the original documents he requested from the PIAA.
Campbell said he was saddened because PIAA spent money on attorney fees, the same money PIAA collects from taxpayers.
"That's the shameful part of this," he said. "We paid twice for this."
