In an ongoing battle between Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the state’s Board of Corrections, a judge has dismissed Attorney General Tim Griffin’s lawsuit alleging a violation of the state Freedom of Information Act. This decision marks another development in the escalating dispute over who has control over the prison system.
Governor Sanders, a prominent Republican who continues to show her support for former President Donald Trump, has been pushing for the addition of more temporary prison beds, despite concerns raised by board members. In response, the board suspended Corrections Secretary Joe Profiri and later voted to fire him. This move came after another judge blocked a law signed by Sanders that took away the board’s authority to hire and fire the corrections secretary.
The lawsuit filed by Attorney General Griffin accused the Board of Corrections of violating the state’s Freedom of Information Act by hiring an outside attorney in the dispute. However, Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox dismissed the complaint, stating that the AG’s office had not complied with his previous order to obtain special counsel for the board or to approve its outside attorney as special counsel.
The decision to dismiss the lawsuit has pleased the Board of Corrections, with its attorney, Abtin Mehdizadegan, stating that there was no violation of the FOIA and inviting the attorney general to work through their differences directly.
This latest development highlights the ongoing power struggle between Governor Sanders and the state’s Board of Corrections. The governor’s endorsement in the 2024 Republican presidential race further adds to her political influence. However, the dispute raises questions about the control and decision-making authority within the Arkansas prison system.
As the legal battle continues, it remains to be seen how this conflict will impact the state’s correctional policies and the relationship between Governor Sanders and the Board of Corrections. Stay tuned for the latest updates on the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content.
