Mayor Nic Hunter Faces Legal Action Over Alleged Public Records Violations

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter is facing a lawsuit for allegedly withholding over 300 pages of public records, a violation of Louisiana’s Public Records Act. The lawsuit, filed by the Tulane First Amendment Clinic on behalf of freelance journalist Natalie McLendon, claims that the City of Lake Charles failed to release these records in a timely and lawful manner following McLendon’s request in May 2024.

McLendon, who contributes to the Louisiana Illuminator, requested emails sent or received by city officials over a specific three-day period in April 2024 concerning city budget discussions. According to the lawsuit, the city did not provide the requested documents within the five-day response period required under state law. Additionally, the suit alleges that the city withheld portions of the emails and charged excessive fees for access—an issue that could discourage public access to government records.

The Louisiana Public Records Act mandates that public bodies respond to requests for information within five business days, either by providing the requested records or explaining why they cannot be disclosed. The lawsuit claims that the city failed to meet this deadline, a lapse that McLendon’s legal team argues undermines transparency in local government.

Furthermore, the complaint addresses the issue of cost. Louisiana law allows agencies to charge reasonable fees for producing copies of public records, but the lawsuit asserts that the fees imposed by the City of Lake Charles were unjustifiably high, posing a potential barrier to those seeking information about public affairs.

As of now, Mayor Hunter and city officials have not issued public statements regarding the lawsuit. The outcome of this case could have broader implications for public access to government documents in Lake Charles, as the lawsuit questions both the city's compliance with the law and the fairness of its record-keeping practices.

This legal action draws attention to the importance of transparency and accountability in local government, and its resolution may shape how public records are handled in the future.

The Lake Charles Press will continue to follow this story as it develops.