In Lancaster Co. District Atty’s Office v. Walker, the prosecuting office denied a media request under Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law for records of the distribution of items seized through the Controlled Substance Forfeiture Act. On appeal, the Office of Open Records reversed. The District Attorney’s Office appealed to the Court of Common Pleas but also partially complied with the request. Before the Court of Common Pleas, the issue was framed as to whether the media outlet was entitled to the names of people who purchased seized items at auction from the District Attorney’s Office. The Court of Common Pleas held that the request did not specifically state the names of bidders and that privacy concerns favored denying the request. The Commonwealth Court reversed, holding that the bidders’ names were not confidential and that the request was properly specific and tailored.
