© 2024 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
TECHNOTE: WKAR broadcast signals will be off-air or low power during tower maintenance

Sex sting questions raised at Lansing Public Safety Committee

Lansing City Hall photo
Kevin Lavery
/
WKAR
Lansing City Hall.

By Rob South, WKAR News

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-846686.mp3

LANSING, MI – The Lansing Public Safety Committee today is expected to review the details of a recent sex sting operation at Fenner Nature Center. City officials had been withholding information about the incident.

AUDIO:
In May, Lansing police arrested two men at the nature center as part of a gay sex sting operation. On Monday, the city upheld a denial of a Freedom of Information Act request. A local journalist made the request for records and other documents associated with the incident. City Attorney Brigham Smith claimed the records were private until charges had been filed. But last night, Smith released the records, saying he was unaware the men had both pleaded guilty to charges brought by the county prosecutor. Smith says he didn't know the prosecutor's office had also taken up the case. He characterized the mistake as a failure to communicate. Public Safety Committee Vice-Chair Carol Wood says she wants to know who authorized the sting, and why details were not released sooner.

Journalism at this station is made possible by donors who value local reporting. Donate today to keep stories like this one coming. It is thanks to your generosity that we can keep this content free and accessible for everyone. Thanks!