In this blog, we discuss the on-going dust-up between the San Francisco Chronicle and gun owners, which illustrates that while some records may be considered “public,” there are more than copy fees associated with requesting the records.  The conflict started when the San Francisco Chronicle requested information about the 3,700 concealed weapons permit holders in Sutter County, CA, which prompted County Sheriff Brandon Barnes to notify concealed weapons permit holders that the information had been requested. Barnes also announced on Facebook that he was legally obligated to provide the names to the Chronicle, which prompted “a cascade of threats and vitriol” that resulted in the Chronicle being forced to increase security at its newsroom and for its reporters. The conflict demonstrates the tension between what information is releasable and the people that could be put in danger by the release isn’t likely to go away anytime soon.

Every industry confronts a unique regulatory framework, in some cases encompassing both government and industry regulators. It is important for researchers to be aware of the varying means of oversight to ensure comprehensive due diligence.  In this blog, learn about the disciplinary database maintained by the New York Stock Exchange - an important tool for researchers to add to their toolkit when analyzing subjects with ties to the financial industry.

Our new blog discusses the recent trend of anonymous ownership in American real estate through purchasing by limited liability companies (LLCs) and other shell companies.  Investors have long used LLCs and LLPs to purchase and manage rental properties, however in the aftermath of the 2008 housing crisis investors have poured into the residential housing market, which means that researchers and journalists more frequently encounter an alarming lack of transparency surrounding real estate ownership.  The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) within the Treasury Department does investigate these cash real estate transactions, however the agency has not made the data it holds regarding LCC and LLP ownership of real estate publicly available.

This blog discusses the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), which is a bureau within the US Treasury Department responsible for safeguarding the financial system.  FinCEN maintains a database of enforcement actions taken against financial institutions, including casinos, depository institutions and businesses, like securities traders,  that work in other areas of the financial system.  

Our new blog profiles what appears to be the world’s longest running research project: the Thesaurus Linguae Latinae (T.L.L.).  The New York Times recently reported on the project, which was started 125 years ago. The goal is to document every Latin word, including every single way anyone ever used the word, from the earliest Latin inscriptions in the sixth century B.C. to around A.D. 600.

When a researcher is seeking to understand or locate a new set of records, it can be beneficial to direct questions to the records caretaker, whether by phone or on the web.  Some offices even have additional resources that researchers can use to gain a greater understanding of public records, including a new blog from the Alameda County Treasurer Tax-Collector detailed in our new blog. 

Congress may soon deprive companies and individuals of one of the most popular means of avoiding disclosure, as they are considering legislation that would require limited liability companies to disclose their primary owners to the Treasury Department.  Our new blog discusses the potential impact of the legislation, which would require companies with 20 employees or fewer and no physical office to provide information about owners who hold at least a 25% stake or who exercise substantial control of the company.