FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION

OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

 

In the Matter of a Complaint by                                         FINAL DECISION

 

Ralph J. Lombardi,

 

                        Complainant

 

            against                                                       Docket #FIC 88-45

 

Chief Court Administrator of the State of Connecticut,

 

                        Respondent                                               May 25, 1988

 

            The above-captioned matter was heard as a contested case on March 24, 1988, at which time the complainant and the respondent appeared, stipulated to certain facts and presented testimony, exhibits and argument on the complaint.

 

            After consideration of the entire record, the following facts are found:

 

            1.         By letter dated January 15, 1988 the complainant made a request of the respondent for the "complete and actual agenda, format and/or schedules and all materials" used in the training and evaluation of judges and justices.

 

            2.         By letter of complaint dated and filed with the Commission on February 9, 1988 the complainant appealed the respondent's failure to comply with his request for records, which records he referred to as "blank forms."

 

            3.         At hearing, the respondent indicated that he did not understand the nature and scope of the complainant's request for records.  Upon questioning, the complainant stated that he was interested in blank forms used to evaluate or train judges.

 

            4.         At hearing, the respondent stated that there existed blank questionnaires regarding the evaluation of judges but that no forms regarding the training of judges or justices existed.

 

            5.         Subsequent to the hearing the respondent provided the complainant with the following documents:

 

                        1.  Appellate Judge's Questionnaire

                        2.  Juror's Questionnaire

                        3.  Attorney's Questionnaire

                        4.  Attorney's Questionnaire-Appellate Court

 

Docket #FIC 88-45                                                                                                   Page Two

 

            6.         It is concluded, based on the above facts, that there exists no case or controversy regarding the complainant's request for records.  The Commission, therefore, lacks jurisdiction over the above matter.

 

            The following order by the Commission is hereby recommended on the basis of the record concerning the above-captioned complaint.

 

            1.  The complaint is hereby dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

 

            Approved by order of the Freedom of Information Commission at its special meeting of May 25, 1988.

 

                                                                                                 

                                                                             Catherine H. Lynch

                                                                             Acting Clerk of the Commission