'Star' agrees to new case venue

The Indianapolis Star has agreed to a request from IU to move a lawsuit against the University to Monroe County. \nThe case, originally filed by the Star in Marion County, seeks access to documents in former coach Bob Knight's personnel file and other records compiled during IU's investigation into the conduct of the coach.\nThe original complaint claims IU violated Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, which gives individuals and agencies the opportunity to review and copy public documents.\nKevin Betz, attorney for the Star, said the reason for originally filing the suit in Marion County was because all of the University's announcements regarding the investigation and eventual firing of Knight were made in Indianapolis. But IU said it had been filed in the wrong county. \nBetz said that although the Star still believes Marion County is the proper venue for the lawsuit, it wants to expedite the case and not bother with arguments that don't pertain to the subject of the lawsuit.\nInstead of getting into arguments the Star felt were irrelevant, Betz said, it agreed to move the case to Monroe County.\nBetz said its case argues, among other things, that because the University has taken final action on Knight's case, the law requires release of personnel file information.\nIU cited exemptions to Indiana's public records access law that allow it to withhold such information.\nUniversity officials did not return calls after messages were left with the University's spokeswoman, Sue Dillman.