Associated Press Published

Gazette Sues W.Va. Attorney General to Release Records

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The Charleston Gazette is suing West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey over the release of state records.

The Gazette reports that it filed the lawsuit Thursday in Kanawha County Circuit Court. The newspaper is seeking records related to the attorney general’s office’s ongoing case against a drug company that Morrisey’s wife lobbies for in Washington, D.C.

The Gazette says Morrisey has refused to release the records under the state Freedom of Information Act.

Morrisey’s office identified up to eight related documents. He has argued they are shielded by attorney-client privilege and other public records exemptions.

Morrisey inherited the case against Cardinal Health from former Attorney General Darrell McGraw. McGraw sued Cardinal over the company’s prescription pill profits in West Virginia.

Morrisey has said he recused himself from the case.