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As mentioned in the last posting, the Texas OAG sent me about 100 documents pertaining to the pseudo-sanctuary. Included in the package were open records request from one of the witnesses that assisted me early on in the case and from the pseudo-sanctuary director! In the pseudo-sanctuary director's letter dated 11-29-07, she wrote:"As the president of the [pseudo-sanctuary name inserted here], I am requesting copies of all complaints filed against the organization which has resulted in an ongoing investigation by the Attorney Generals Office."
It appears the pseudo-director, after reviewing the first CID supplement dated 11-16-07, decided to find out who is passing on specific information to the AG's Office by requesting past complaint letters to the OAG.
According to the Texas OAG, anyone, including the person or organization under investigation, can request and obtain information pertaining to the open investigation. You would think witness information would be considered "protected" until the investigation concluded so as to protect the witness(es) from harassment or intimidation. Not true! The only way the information would remain confidential would be if a CID was issued and the witness' information happened to be related to an item on said Demand. Any information provided to the OAG that was not covered by a CID would be fair game and given to an open records requester.
It is no wonder why people are afraid of reporting alleged crimes to the authority as the criminal seems to have more rights and protection that witnesses!! In this case, the pseudo-sanctuary received about a years worth of witness information, including their contact information.
So, if you ever decided to write the OAG, remember, the information will not remain "top secret," unless the OAG moves quickly and issues a CID which covers the information provided. Knowing this, if you have any witnesses hesitant to come forward, don't put their names in any complaint package until after the CID has been issued. This will ensure the protection of your witnesses from harassment or intimidation.
