Carcieri sued for refusing to release e-mails

PROVIDENCE -- Civil rights advocates are suing Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri for refusing to release internal e-mails discussing the state's chain-of-command.

The state branch of the American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit Wednesday in Superior Court accusing Carcieri of violating the state's open records law.

ACLU Executive Director Steven Brown said the group asked for the records after Carcieri said the state's National Guard commander would assume more crisis management responsibilities.

Carcieri made the remark after a December snowstorm caused massive traffic gridlock. The governor was overseas at the time.

Brown said Carcieri's office refused to release the e-mails because it considers them preliminary drafts exempt from disclosure.

A Carcieri spokeswoman could not immediately comment.