ANN ARBOR (AP) — A court decision could force the University of Michigan to open the records of a doctor who is considered by critics to be an influential voice in anti-immigration matters.
Dr. John Tanton of Petoskey donated 25 boxes of papers to the university, but 11 boxes were to remain closed until 2035. The Michigan appeals court says the closed records are public documents under the Freedom of Information Act because they’re being held by a campus library as an “official function,” a key phrase in state law.
The appeals court on June 20 overturned a decision by the Michigan Court of Claims. The university says it’s considering its options. It could ask the state Supreme Court to take the case.
The lawsuit was filed by Hassan Ahmad, an attorney in McLean, Virginia.
- Posted July 09, 2019
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Court says sealed records at campus library are public

headlines Oakland County
- Whitmer signs gun violence prevention legislation
- Department of Attorney General conducts statewide warrant sweep, arrests 9
- Adoptive families across Michigan recognized during Adoption Day and Month
- Reproductive Health Act signed into law
- Case study: Documentary highlights history of courts in the Eastern District
headlines National
- This LA lawyer levels up legal protections in the video game industry
- ACLU and BigLaw firm use ‘Orange is the New Black’ in hashtag effort to promote NY jail reform
- Legal champions to receive Spirit of Excellence Award at 2026 ABA Midyear Meeting
- Fake Sullivan & Cromwell entities used by scammers should be dissolved, suit says
- Hackers gained access to ‘small number’ of attorney emails at Williams & Connolly, firm confirms
- Before joining Anderson Kill, judge was accused of rude behavior on bench, retaliatory threats in ethics case