Court to clarify Idaho public records law

Latah District Court Judge John Stegner today set Oct. 3 for oral arguments concerning the personnel records of former University of Idaho employee Ernesto Bustamante. The university is asking the court to interpret the meaning of the Idaho Public Records Law, which bars public agencies from releasing most personnel records for current and former employees without the employee’s consent, said a University of Idaho news release. The court will decide if the law applies after the death of the employee. University officials have received numerous requests to release Bustamante’s personnel records, the news release said. “The university is grateful to the court for putting this on a fast track,” said Charles Graham, senior associate general counsel for the University of Idaho. Police said on Aug. 22, Bustamante shot down UI student Kathryn “Katy” Benoit, with whom he had a previous romantic relationship, before killing himself.