A broad coalition of media outlets has filed a court action requesting the unsealing of search warrants and associated documents pertaining to an ongoing investigation by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Public Access vs. Secrecy

The media coalition argues that the public’s right to transparency significantly outweighs any justification for keeping the records sealed. They emphasize the importance of open investigations, particularly those concerning potential impacts on election integrity.

The filing specifically requests access to “all documents and records relating” to the investigation’s three search warrants, including supporting documentation and “any other judicial records in this matter.”

Members of the Coalition

The coalition includes prominent news organizations such as the California Newspapers Partnership, ABC News, CalMatters, CBS News, Fox Television Stations, KCRA/KQCA, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, USA Today, and The Riverside Record.

Quote from Southern California News Group

Frank Pine, executive editor of the Southern California News Group and the Bay Area News Group, stated, “If there is evidence of wrongdoing or vote tampering, there should absolutely be an investigation. But that investigation should be conducted openly and transparently so that the public can be confident in the security and integrity of our elections.”

Investigation Background

The investigation stems from claims made by the Riverside Election Integrity Team, a citizens’ election watchdog group, alleging a roughly 45,000-vote discrepancy between ballots cast and counted in Riverside County during a recent election.

Riverside County Registrar of Voters Art Tinoco refuted these claims in a presentation to the county Board of Supervisors on February 10th, stating the actual gap was only 103 votes, within the acceptable margin of error.

Sheriff's Actions and Legal Challenges

Despite Tinoco’s assertions, Sheriff Chad Bianco obtained search warrants for the county’s Proposition 50 ballots and related election materials. He announced on March 20th that his office would recount all ballots under the supervision of a court-appointed special master.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has challenged the investigation in both the California Supreme Court and superior court, arguing that the affidavits supporting the search warrants did not establish probable cause for a felony offense. He also accuses Sheriff Bianco of defying his directives to coordinate the investigation.

Arguments for Unsealing

The media coalition’s filing argues that the attorney general and sheriff have already publicly discussed aspects of the investigation, negating arguments that unsealing the records would cause harm. They also contend that any privileged information loses its protection once publicly disclosed.

The coalition asserts that the public “should not be forced to navigate” conflicting claims about the investigation “without the facts on which the Investigation is based.”

Spokespersons for the sheriff’s department and attorney general could not be reached for comment on Wednesday afternoon.