25FC:0168 Ted Clark v. Dallas County Sheriff's Department - Dismissal Order

The Iowa Public Information Board

COMES NOW, Charlotte Miller, Executive Director for the Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB), and enters this Dismissal Order:

On October 29, 2025, Ted Clark filed formal complaint 25FC:0168, alleging that Dallas County Sheriff's Department violated Iowa Code Chapter 22.

Facts

On October 29, 2025, Complainant filed a complaint against Dallas County Sheriff's Department. This complaint alleged a potential violation of Chapter 22 relating to police investigative reports.

Following receipt, IPIB staff sought clarifications on the matters alleged. Despite attempts to reestablish contact Complainant has not been in touch with IPIB.

Analysis

The complainant has not been in contact with IPIB since filing the complaint on October 29, 2025. IPIB staff has reached out on two separate occasions: December 11, 2025, and January 9, 2026. As a result, IPIB has been unable to complete its facial review of the matters alleged, and no further investigation has been conducted. The complainant has constructively abandoned the complaint by failing to respond to multiple follow-up emails in a period of over two months following the initial submission. For this reason, dismissal is warranted for abandonment.

In dismissing this complaint, IPIB does not make any findings on the allegations.

Conclusion

Iowa Code § 23.8 requires that a complaint be within the IPIB’s jurisdiction, appear legally sufficient, and have merit before the IPIB accepts a complaint. Following a review of the allegations on their face, it is found that this complaint does not meet those requirements.

The complainant has constructively abandoned the case, and IPIB has been unable to seek clarification on the allegations as a result.

IT IS SO ORDERED: Formal complaint 25FC:0164 is dismissed as constructively abandoned pursuant to Iowa Code § 23.8(2) and Iowa Administrative Rule 497-2.1(2)(b).

Pursuant to Iowa Administrative Rule 497-2.1(3), the IPIB may “delegate acceptance or dismissal of a complaint to the executive director, subject to review by the board.”  The IPIB will review this Order on February 19, 2026.  Pursuant to IPIB rule 497-2.1(4), the parties will be notified in writing of its decision.

By the IPIB Executive Director,

_________________________

Charlotte J.M. Miller, J.D.

CERTIFICATE OF MAILING

This document was sent on February 13, 2026, to:

Ted Clark, Complainant