California’s legislative leaders are under fire for withholding information about potential federal investigations into state lawmakers for public corruption. Recent reports suggest that Southern California Senator Susan Rubio has been questioned as part of a federal probe. However, the state Assembly and Senate have denied requests from CalMatters for access to federal subpoenas and search warrants dating back to 2020, as well as records of taxpayer money spent on legal defenses.
The legislative leaders argue that the public interest is better served by keeping these records private, a stance that has alarmed open-government advocates. Sean McMorris of California Common Cause stated, “The public absolutely has a right to know whether one of their representatives is under criminal investigation.” David Loy, from the First Amendment Coalition, criticized the decision, suggesting it reflects a desire to withhold inconvenient information.
The Legislative Open Records Act allows lawmakers more discretion to withhold records than other public agencies, but advocates argue for transparency. Loy emphasized, “We should err on the side of disclosure. The public has a right to know.”
Senator Rubio has denied accepting bribes but has not confirmed if she is the “Person 20” mentioned in federal documents. The Senate Ethics Committee declined to investigate due to the age of the allegations.
The ongoing secrecy and potential legal challenges continue to fuel debates over government transparency and accountability in California.
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