The Iowa Public Information Board
COMES NOW, Charlotte Miller, Executive Director for the Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB), and enters this Dismissal Order:
On February 15, 2026, Tim Ferguson (Complainant) filed formal complaint 26FC:0046, alleging that Scott County (Respondent) violated Iowa Code Chapter 22.
Facts
On February 15, 2026, Complainant filed formal complaint 26FC:0046, alleging the following “personnel of the Scott County Attorney’s Office and the Davenport Police Department intentionally altered or directed the alteration of case-management data in the Judicial Dialog (JD) system . . . [these] alterations included modifications to witness lists and Minutes of Testimony, which were made without documentation or disclosure to the defense, thereby impeding data integrity and the defendant’s ability to assess the completeness of prosecutorial evidence.”
On March 4, 2026, IPIB staff reached out to Complainant for clarification on the alleged chapter 22 violation. The Complainant has not responded.
Applicable Law
“The [Iowa Public Information Board] shall not have jurisdiction over the judicial or legislative branches of state government or any entity, officer, or, employee of those branches, or over the governor or the office of the governor.” Iowa Code § 23.12.
Analysis
Iowa Code section 23.12 specifically denies the IPIB jurisdiction over the judicial branch or any entity, officer or employee of that branch. The judicial branch has decided the issue of the release of certain records by the enactment of Chapter 25 of the Iowa Court Rules and by interpreting Iowa Code section 22.7(50) as that pertains to courthouse security.
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.
IT IS SO ORDERED: Formal complaint 26FC:0093 is dismissed as it is legally insufficient, frivolous, and without merit pursuant to Iowa Code § 23.8(2) and Iowa Administrative Rule 497-2.1(2)(b).
IPIB lacks jurisdiction to review complaints against the Iowa Judicial Branch.
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 May 21, 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 May 15, 2026, to:
Tim Ferguson, Complainant