Montpelier, VT –  This morning, former Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell ignored rules of civil procedure and failed to appear for a properly noticed deposition to take his testimony regarding his use of private email accounts to conduct state business.

The case is about uncovering a scheme, revealed by public records requests, involving multiple state attorneys general offices abusing the power of their offices for political purposes.

In response to our valid notice of deposition, former AG Sorrell moved to quash his deposition and the Energy & Environment Legal Institute (E&E Legal) cross-moved to compel his attendance. By failing to appear for the deposition this morning, the former Attorney General ignored Vermont’s rules of civil procedure, which compelled his appearance.

Mr. Sorrell filed a Motion to Quash in a last-ditch effort to try to avoid testifying about this controversial matter, which continues to unfold in the courts.  His motion, which was filed by the Office of Attorney General, is part of that office’s use of attrition warfare to stonewall its legal obligations under the Vermont Public Records Act after initial productions more than a year ago caused an uproar over the abuses they revealed.

This afternoon, Judge Mary Teachout, of the Vermont Superior Court in Washington County, issued an Order denying former AG Sorrell’s Motion to Quash his deposition and his Motion to Dismiss.  The Court also granted E&E Legal’s Motion to Compel former Attorney General Sorrell’s testimony. The Court’s order allows “discovery [to] proceed” to develop the facts of the case.

About EE Legal

The Energy & Environment Legal Institute (E&E Legal) is a 501(c)(3) organization engaged in strategic litigation, policy research, and public education on important energy and environmental issues. Primarily through its petition litigation and transparency practice areas, E&E Legal seeks to correct onerous federal and state policies that hinder the economy, increase the cost of energy, eliminate jobs, and do little or nothing to improve the environment.

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