State of Alaska, Department of Corrections v. Kerry Porche

Summary

The court held that records from DOC's investigation of an unsubstantiated sexual-misconduct allegation were compiled for law-enforcement purposes and were protected from disclosure under the Public Records Act's invasion-of-privacy exemption. The court rejected the view that a person cannot be a protected witness unless the allegation is substantiated or a crime is charged, relying on the statutory text, legislative history, and analogous federal law. It reversed the superior court's disclosure order and remanded for further proceedings consistent with its opinion.