ACLU Sues Missouri For Violating Public Records Laws

ST. LOUIS, MO — The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the state of Missouri to obtain lab results for an unknown chemical confiscated by police at September protests in downtown St. Louis. County police sent the bottle labeled "apple cider vinegar" to labs for testing after a false-positive field test indicated that it might be a harmful substance. In October, the police department Tweeted that it was most likely vinegar after all — apple cider vinegar is a common treatment for pepper spray. However, the Missouri Department of Health has refused to release the official lab results, citing an ongoing criminal investigation.

“State departments often respond to open records requests by claiming their hands are tied,” ACLU of Missouri legal director Tony Rothert said. “But the refusal of state agencies to follow the law when it comes to open records is deliberate.”

The ACLU said sunshine laws exist to ensure transparency and trust in government and called on the state to end "its ongoing culture of secrecy." The Department of Health refused to comment on pending litigation.

Photo by Jeff Roberson/Associated Press