The special prosecutor in the grand jury case against Attorney General Liz Murrill has filed a motion to quash a subpoena that would require her to submit documents related to the indictment.
Laurie White, the special prosecutor, filed the motion Tuesday morning.
The attorney general’s team is asking the ad hoc judge overseeing the case to obtain communication and records from White and District Attorney Jason Williams.
According to the motion, Williams has already turned over the requested materials.
Williams issued a statement saying:
“As has been widely and accurately reported, District Attorney Jason Williams and the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office have been fully recused from this grand jury inquiry since its inception.
“The District Attorney’s Office remains focused on prosecuting serious cases currently on its docket and will continue dedicating its resources to protecting public safety in New Orleans.
“Today, the District Attorney’s Office responded to a public records request submitted by counsel for Attorney General Murrill with all responsive legally proper documents. The materials produced confirm that neither District Attorney Williams nor his office initiated or handled this indictment. The response includes the motion to recuse, as well as a record reflecting no communications between the District Attorney’s Office and the Mayor or members of the City Council regarding this indictment.
“We will continue working collaboratively with all willing state partners including the Attorney General’s Office and Troop NOLA, a relationship that has been productive and effective in advancing our shared public safety mission and realigning efforts between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.”
Laura Cannizzaro Rodrigue, who is representing Murrill, said that she has not received the materials from Williams office.
She provided a letter she received from Williams office regarding the matter, and also issued the following statement:
“The DA never actually denies that these records exist, he is just refusing to produce them. Claiming a litigation privilege on a case the office is recused from and refusing to produce phone records because the DA is not the ‘custodian’, is a troubling interpretation of public records law. This raises serious questions about the DA’s understanding of his obligations pursuant to the public records laws and his so-called commitment to transparency”
The deadline for the subpoena is 5 p.m. Friday.
The Louisiana Supreme Court has issued a stay in the case.
READ MORE:Special prosecutor in AG Liz Murrill indictment moves to quash subpoena for documents
