RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - A North Carolina appeals court says Gov. Pat McCrory can’t swat away a lawsuit by media organizations and advocacy groups contending the Republican’s administration has a pattern of delaying public records requests.
A three-judge panel of the state Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that McCrory couldn’t claim his “sovereign immunity” blocked the lawsuit.
State government agencies are required by law to provide documents, emails and other records because they are owned by the public. The plaintiffs want judges to order the McCrory administration to speed up its responses to public records requests.
The ruling means the lawsuit can proceed to a trial unless the state Supreme Court opts to review the decision.
McCrory lost his re-election bid last month and will be replaced by Gov.-elect Roy Cooper next month.
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