ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A judge has ruled that the Alaska governor’s office can use private email accounts to conduct state business, as former Gov. Sarah Palin sometimes did.
Superior Court Judge Jack W. Smith said in his ruling Wednesday that there is no provision in Alaska state law that prohibits the use of private email accounts when conducting state business.
The case stemmed from a lawsuit filed by Anchorage resident Andree McLeod.
McLeod contended such use of private emails denies citizens the right to inspect public records.
State lawyers argued that McLeod misinterpreted current state law. And if the practice is to be changed, lawyers said it was up to Alaska lawmakers do it.
