East Central Reporter

In May 2024, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit was filed concerning the handling of donations to the Shelby County Dive Team. The case was not disclosed to the County Board by the State’s Attorney until October 22, 2024, five months after its initiation. Recent findings revealed that funds intended for the dive team were managed by the Shelbyville Area Community Foundation instead of being under county control. The foundation charged a 2% fee on these donations. Current State’s Attorney Ruth Woolery provided records confirming this situation. There appears to be no legal basis for a nonprofit organization to manage public funds designated for a public dive team or to charge interest on such donations.

Additional information has emerged regarding these issues. According to State's Attorney Woolery, "We can only assume that Woolery is not aware of the federal court records that clearly outline the dive team was under the county for many years as proven by the records linked in this article." It has been confirmed that dive commander Austin Prichard knew about law enforcement removing records and cash. Furthermore, video evidence produced by Woolery shows cash being counted and receipts that have yet to be provided.

The amended complaint now includes two additional counts against Woolery. One count pertains to her refusal to provide a redacted police report involving a convicted felon, which led to a FOIA denial currently under review by the Attorney General PAC office; this review is on hold due to the complaint filing. In another FOIA request, communications were claimed as exempt by citing an invalid exemption.

Woolery informed the board that based on advice from the Attorney General's Office, she considered the volunteer dive team not a public body. However, there are ongoing Public Access Counselor complaints against Prichard for failing to respond to FOIA requests related to dive team records.

A copy of the amended complaint is available online for further examination.