A state appeals court says a school district can release the personnel file of a former teacher accused of having sex with a minor two decades ago.
St. Croix County prosecutors charged Thomas Woznicki in 1994 with having consensual sex with a minor but later dismissed the case. Citizens for Responsible Government made an open records request for Woznicki's New Richmond School District file last year. Woznicki sued to block release.
The 3rd District Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that the public interest in disclosure outweighs keeping the file private.
The long-running fight over Woznicki's records led to a state law in 2003 that requires public employees to be notified if their agency plans to release records mentioning them.
Woznicki's attorney didn't immediately respond to a message.
