Government Records director upholds Weber County privacy classification in Goodell appeal

The director of the Department of Government Records denied an appeal by petitioner Mr. Goodell seeking investigatory materials from Weber County, ruling the files were properly classified as private and not subject to public release.

Goodell told the director he had been told by Weber County that no personnel or investigative files existed related to a complaint he filed and said only one investigation had been completed despite three people named on the complaint. He asked the office to release records showing who was contacted, when, and why additional witnesses were not interviewed.

Weber County representative Mr. Erickson argued the county’s position rests on Utah Code 63G‑2‑3022(a), which treats many employee investigatory records as private except in limited, enumerated circumstances. Erickson said the county’s review process included a CAO review and a three‑member local appeals board and asserted prior agency decisions weighing privacy interests against public benefit supported withholding the materials.

Chief Colby Ryan of the Weber County Sheriff’s Office testified that an administrative investigative report and an audio recording had been provided for in‑camera review but that no formal disposition or closure letter was found in the retired chief deputy’s files. Chief Ryan also confirmed an interview in the case was a compelled statement and would be protected under Garrity principles.

After reviewing the records in camera, the director found the investigatory report and the compelled statement qualified as private employment records under 63G‑2‑3022(a) and that the Garrity‑protected statement was exempt under the applicable GRAMA provision. The director concluded the petitioner had not shown the public interest in disclosure equaled or outweighed the employees’ privacy interests and denied the appeal. A written decision will follow within seven business days; either party may appeal to district court within 30 calendar days.

The director’s ruling does not order release of any additional investigatory material; it affirms the Weber County GRAMA Appeals Board’s earlier decision.