From Deseret News archives:
Court rules for Salt Lake attorney in suspected federal cover-up
In a 35-page ruling issued Friday, the court said Salt Lake City attorney Jesse Trentadue is entitled to information in a federal report that may show Department of Justice officials conducted a cover-up surrounding his brother's death in a federal prison.
The 10th Circuit rejected claims made by the Integrity Committee of the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency that a report reviewing allegations of misconduct in the investigation into the August 1995 death of Kenneth Trentadue was not public because it was a law enforcement investigation.
The Integrity Committee also had argued that the actions of federal agents, along with their identities, should not be made public, even if accused of misconduct.
"Each of these individuals was a low-level employee who committed serious acts of misconduct. The public interest in learning how law enforcement agencies dealt with these individuals is very high, and that information must be released," the ruling states.
An official federal investigation by the Department of Justice concluded that Kenneth Trentadue's death was the result of suicide. But when family members received his body, the man was covered with bruises and blood.
Jesse Trentadue claims he ran across evidence that government workers had destroyed documents and encouraged witnesses to lie about what took place at the federal prison in Oklahoma City. Trentadue said the cover-up reached to the top of the Department of Justice's high-ranking officials, including the department's inspector general, whose job it is to police corruption within the department.
After appealing the DOJ's decision, which upheld the suicide finding, Jesse Trentadue appealed to the Integrity Committee, asking for a criminal investigation. The committee suddenly dismissed the claim and refused to explain why.
When Jesse Trentadue requested the committee's report under the Freedom of Information Act, what he received were 50-some pages of blacked-out lines.
In particular, 10th Circuit judges said they were concerned when they discovered that some of the information redacted by the government was clearly public information.
Jesse Trentadue called Friday's ruling a victory for open government, adding the decision extends beyond his case and will better allow citizens to watch-dog federal government.
"I think it has stripped away and gutted the law enforcement privilege," Trentadue said.
The 10th Circuit has ordered the case reversed and remanded back to the district court.
As for what is contained in the report, Trentadue said that until he sees those contents, it remains to be seen just how that information will help his cause.
E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com
Comments
- NFL: Week 12 recap 12:50 a.m.
- '12 Days' bill would top $87K 12:35 a.m.
- Study finds autism therapy works 12:35 a.m.
- Boy shot following traffic stop 12:35 a.m.
- Sports on the air 12:24 a.m.
- Herbert builds his team of rivals 12:21 a.m.
- Corroon a step closer to governor 12:21 a.m.
- Monday on TV 12:18 a.m.
- Editorial: East, West and religion 12:17 a.m.
- A deficit commission? 12:17 a.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- BYU is champion of the state
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- Credit Coug defense for win
- Marriage definitions vary widely
- Field goals, penalties doomed Utes
- Cougar defense rose to occasion
- Banged up Jazz get best of Blazers
- Jones' joy for life remembered
- Fantasy is reality for BYU professor
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
869 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
473 - Max Hall issues apology
145 - BYU is champion of the state
137 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
117 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
116 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
90 - Hall's legacy measured today
79 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
68 - Utes fall to Seattle U. at home
65
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
I find it interesting that many of the same people who say that we can't...
None of these teams is going to be easy. They all have fine football...
Max, no apology was necessary, but the apology was polically correct. If...
Very good piece of writing, Amy. You summarized what many of us have been...
How is a top 25 finish make Utah a top twenty team? I think what the poster...
90% of the BYU & Utah fans have class, and Hall knows it. If you don't...
This might be my favorite article I've ever read from the Deseret News. Kudos.
Thank you for not giving up and don't give up now brother and sister...
Dr. Lois Lee's work with children who are victims of child sexual...
Look at the preview for Pixar's "Up". The whole move is summarized in...



You can be the first to comment on this story.