Newspaper Executives Arrested

In an update to my story from yesterday, Phoenix New Times
founders and executives Jim Larkin and Michael Lacey were
arrested last night by Sheriff Joe Arpaio
for revealing the details of a
subpoena.  The subpoena, which sought personal information on all Phoenix
New Times web site visitors, was part of a grand jury case which looks
suspiciously like retribution and intimidation by Arpaio for past negative stories
about him in their newspaper.

Radley Balko also has an update and reminded me of this classic Phoenix New Times article about Sheriff Joe.

 

6 Comments

  1. atr:

    So, when innocent people are put in jail like this, could you look them in the eye and say that you oppose the law that would keep them free?

    How does this square with your belief that "[t]he Phoenix New Times should not have to divulge the details of its readership"? If that is truly what you believe (and I believe it is), you should support the law that would protect the newspaper employees' rights not to divulge such information.

  2. Max Lybbert:

    This smells like something that will settle. Revealing what is presented to a Grand Jury is a crime. Revealing the contents of a subpoena -- even in a Grand Jury setting -- usually isn't. And, generally, there are special laws protecting news publishers from the kinds of things being asked for in the subpoena.

    The arrest warrant was signed by a judge (that's the definition of an arrest warrant) and issued at the request of an attorney. However, overall, I think the newspaper has some Teflon-style legal protection. And that will lead to a settlement.

  3. Steve:

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  4. Steve:

    Great site!

    Would you like a Link Exchange with The Internet Radio Network? At the IRN you can listen to over 40 of America’s top Talk Shows via Free Streaming Audio! In addition you can email the President, VP and Congressional Leaders!!
    http://netradionetwork.com

  5. Steve:

    Great site!

    Would you like a Link Exchange with The Internet Radio Network? At the IRN you can listen to over 40 of America’s top Talk Shows via Free Streaming Audio! In addition you can email the President, VP and Congressional Leaders!!
    http://netradionetwork.com