Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Could City Ordinance Punishing Leakers Also Go After Media?
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
November 2, 2019

Share

A proposed Fresno City Council ordinance would punish City Hall officials and staff who reveal confidential information, as well as those who receive privileged materials.
“We have problems with information that gets leaked out of our closed session items, with other information that is not supposed to be leaked,” said councilman Garry Bredefeld — a cosponsor of the ordinance along with Mike Karbassi and the mayor’s office.


Listen to this article:
 


Bredefeld said such problems have been happening weekly but could not provide details because of confidentiality. He adds that the problem is nothing new.

Fines and Jail Time Proposed

The ordinance would prevent any current or former city official or employee from disseminating confidential attorney-client privileged or personnel information to unauthorized persons. The ban includes privileged information discussed in closed session of council meetings.
The closed session part of a public meeting is legally allowed to be held out of public sight. The Brown Act limits what items can be discussed — mainly labor negotiations, personnel matters, property negotiations, and litigation involving the city. Any formal action in closed session must be reported openly.

“The leaking of confidential information, whether it be litigation, settlements, personnel matters or contract negotiations, has cost Fresno taxpayers and could cost them millions of dollars more in the future.” — Fresno Mayor Lee Brand 
The ordinance would allow the city attorney or other counsel hired by the city to “prosecute willful violations as a misdemeanor with maximum penalties as set forth in this code.”
The penalties include a fine up to $1,000 and/or a maximum of one year in jail.

Potential Impact on News Media

Part (b) of the ordinance would also punish those receiving information deemed confidential, reading:

Any unauthorized person or entity receiving such materials shall not disclose or disseminate the materials to anyone else, and shall return the materials without retaining a copy upon demand of the City Attorney.

Some interpret this provision as being aimed at journalists and news media organizations who may receive such information.

“I would…be seeking relief against elected officials or others leaking the information. They are violating an oath and hurting the city of Fresno.” — City councilman Garry Bredefeld
Bredefeld says that is not his intention.
“I would not support going after the media in a legal way. I would however, be seeking relief against elected officials or others leaking the information. They are violating an oath and hurting the city of Fresno,” Bredefeld said.
Both Bredefeld and Karbassi said they would be open changing the language of the ordinance to reflect that intent.

Brand Says Leaks Cost Fresno Taxpayers

Mayor Lee Brand supports the ordinance, calling it a common sense approach.
“The leaking of confidential information, whether it be litigation, settlements, personnel matters or contract negotiations, has cost Fresno taxpayers and could cost them millions of dollars more in the future,” Brand said. “The Brown Act was written to require public agencies to do the public’s business transparently out in the open, but also control the flow of confidential information to lawfully conduct certain functions in closed session to protect individual privacy as well as the public purse.”

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Trump Signs Proclamation Banning Travel From 12 Countries, CBS News Reports

DON'T MISS

Sunnyvale Pitmaster Smokes Fresno BBQ Competition for Golden Ticket to World Championships

DON'T MISS

What We Know About the Colorado Attack on Israeli Hostage Demonstrators

DON'T MISS

Visalia Motorists Take Note: Traffic Shift Coming to Riggin Avenue

DON'T MISS

Really, Secretary Rubio? I’m Lying About the Kids Dying Under Trump?

DON'T MISS

Judge Denies Release in Caleb Quick Killing. Defense Cites Alleged Assaults by Victim

DON'T MISS

Nebraska Is the Latest State to Ban Transgender Students From Girls’ Sports

DON'T MISS

US Vetoes UN Security Council Resolution Demanding an Immediate Gaza Ceasefire

DON'T MISS

International Basketball Comes to Fresno: Armenia vs. Costa Rica

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: A New Research Hub in Southeast Fresno?

UP NEXT

International Basketball Comes to Fresno: Armenia vs. Costa Rica

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Deanna Michelle Whitworth

UP NEXT

Judge Lets Fresno Smoke Shop Rules Take Effect — for Now

UP NEXT

Tulare County’s Lake Success Spillway Expansion Completed, Celebrated

UP NEXT

Fresno Animal Center to Offer Free Adoptions for California Adopt-a-Pet Day

UP NEXT

Millions Invested in Land for Innovation Village. Will It Be a Fresno Game-Changer?

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Arrest Parolee After Officer-Involved Shooting, Standoff

UP NEXT

Fresno Unified’s Misty Her Says She Was Assaulted. Police Have No Reports

UP NEXT

Fresno County Active Wildfire Grows to 45 Acres

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: James William Johnson

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Derek Carr Explains Mysterious Retirement. He Didn’t Want to ‘Just Take the Saints’ Money’

3 hours ago

What Do Valley Leaders Say About Trump’s Threat to Yank High-Speed Rail Funding?

3 hours ago

Were Cuts in Rooftop Solar Payments Legal? CA Supreme Court Hears Arguments

4 hours ago

Fresno Rainbow Pride Marks 35th Year with Saturday Parade and Festival

4 hours ago

Did That Clint Eastwood Interview Happen? Yes, Kind Of.

4 hours ago

Biden’s IRS Doubled Audits on the Wealthy, Data Shows

4 hours ago

Millions Would Lose Their Obamacare Coverage Under Trump’s Bill

4 hours ago

New CA Bill Would Streamline Solar Conversion for Dry Farmland

5 hours ago

Supreme Court Rules Catholic Charity Exempt From State Unemployment Taxes

5 hours ago

Alonso Muscles Up With 2 HRs, 5 RBIs as Mets Belt Dodgers

5 hours ago

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

Meet wonderful Webster, an all-around good 2-year old guy! Sometimes a straightforward, stand-up sweetheart fills the bill perfectly for fit...

3 minutes ago

Webster, GV Wire's Adoptable Pet of the Week, June 5, 2025
3 minutes ago

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

5 minutes ago

Trump Threatens Musk’s Government Deals as Feud Explodes Over Tax-Cut Bill

2 hours ago

Fresno Police Want Your Tips to Solve Taylor Washington Homicide

3 hours ago

Derek Carr Explains Mysterious Retirement. He Didn’t Want to ‘Just Take the Saints’ Money’

3 hours ago

What Do Valley Leaders Say About Trump’s Threat to Yank High-Speed Rail Funding?

4 hours ago

Were Cuts in Rooftop Solar Payments Legal? CA Supreme Court Hears Arguments

4 hours ago

Fresno Rainbow Pride Marks 35th Year with Saturday Parade and Festival

4 hours ago

Did That Clint Eastwood Interview Happen? Yes, Kind Of.

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend