By Peter Jackson
Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s open-records agency has ordered the state police to release records of moonlighting by its employees.
The Associated Press had requested the information in May after a moonlighting state trooper was connected to the off-field carousing of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
State police had rejected the AP’s request. The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records ruled Wednesday that state police were wrong to do so and should turn over most of the information within a month.
The open records office rejected arguments that information about moonlighting is protected by right-to-know law exemptions or could endanger troopers.
State police spokesman Jack Lewis says the department hasn’t received the decision. The department can appeal in court.