Federal judge Frank Montalvo responded to Newspaper Tree's motion calling on the judge to open his court hearings and docket in El Paso’s years-long public corruption investigation.
In a one-paragraph order, Montalvo requires the government to file a response to the NPT motion by Sept. 5.
"We hope this is the first step in opening up the court docket and proceedings. The current veil of secrecy does nothing but undermine confidence in the integrity of the probe. Since the beginning of the American democracy, a free press has always been part of a transparent judicial system. We hope our efforts will restore that openness and trust in Judge Montalvo's court," said James Harrington, director of the Texas Civil Rights Project, which is representing Newspaper Tree and its parent company, the El Paso Media Group.
The motion to intervene, filed Wednesday, seeks a hearing on Newspaper Tree’s petition to open future hearings and unseal court documents related to the guilty pleas of nine individuals who have pled so far. [motion]
Since John Travis Ketner, the former chief of staff to County Judge Anthony Cobos, pled guilty in a closed hearing before Montalvo more than a year ago to charges involving bribery and wire fraud, all but one of the subsequent hearings involving other defendants also have been closed. [public corruption, closed courts, may 12, 2008]
Newspaper Tree and the El Paso Media Group are represented by attorneys with the Texas Civil Rights Project in Austin and its affiliate, the Paso Del Norte Civil Rights Group.
In May, Montalvo filed a memorandum of opinion in response to a motion by Carl Starr to intervene that also called on Montalvo to open the hearings, docket and documents in the public corruption cases on First Amendment grounds. [corruption court stays closed, but judge offers new information, may 28 2008]
All told, nine people have pleaded guilty in the investigation. [public corruption 101, compilation of background articles, updated july 16, 2008]
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Fernando Chacon
August 7, 2008
Sito, David, Bravo! The exercise of the Newpaper Tree of its obligations under the grants of the first amendments separates it from the El Paso Times and all the other newpapers in town. It is this cutting edge journalism that makes this country great. Without this advocay for a transparent system of justice and open society, we are doomed to stray into Nazi Germany style of government.
Fernando Chacon
Concern
August 7, 2008
How about reporting on why so many people have not been able to access their benefits through Tele-serv (TexasWorkforce)? You can only access through the telephone - one telephone number- the local offices will not help you. They say they are not connected to Texas Workforce (benefits). Many, many El Pasoans have given up on trying to collect their benefits. When you call this number, which I have - I'm on the third day and have not been able to get help from anyone, only recordings that keep looping. The local office claims - (personnel) that they have brought this problem to the attention of the board, and they will not act on it. You cannot get help from Austin - Is anyone out there listening?
Keep it sealed
August 8, 2008
This case should remain sealed, if it is opened , the case could be jeapardized.
The NPT doesn't even do a thorough job of reporting all the corruption as it is. Unless NPT is trying to get some of these guys off the hook , then there is NO reason to jeapardize the case itself.
It only undermines prosecuting public crimes.