FSU stalls over record request in NCAA probe

Florida State University is apparently giving the media the cold shoulder over a seemingly public record detailing NCAA claims of wrongdoing at the school.

The Orlando Sentinel reports today that FSU is "stonewalling" inquiries by the newspaper and other media groups, refusing to hand out a "key document" listing alleged violations "that occurred amid a cheating scandal involving university employees and more than 60 athletes." Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi notes that Indiana University released a comparable document under similar circumstances in less than a week.

Attorney Rachel Fugate, who represents The Sentinel, told Bianchi that "any record generated relating to the official business of the university is subject to the state’s Open Records Act."

For its part, the university responded that school officials are preparing a report in response to the NCAA claims, and they’ll make it public once it’s filed. "Translation," Bianchi wrote, "the Seminoles will interpret the law however they see fit and abide by it when they’re darn good and ready."