Judge Rules Documents In Former OU President Misconduct Case Will Remain Confidential

A Cleveland County judge has ruled that documents related to an investigation into alleged misconduct by former University of Oklahoma President David Boren will remain confidential, denying public access to the findings.

The decision follows years of legal battles between the University of Oklahoma and the nonprofit news outlet NonDoc, which had requested the documents through Oklahoma’s Open Records Act. The investigation, which began in 2018, was funded by a $1 million inquiry into the allegations against Boren, but the university has refused to release the findings, citing confidentiality concerns.

According to court filings, OU argued that the documents are considered personnel records and, therefore, exempt from public disclosure. In response, NonDoc plans to appeal the judge's decision.

“We believe these reports directly involve matters of critical public interest regarding the University of Oklahoma,” said NonDoc editor, adding that the outlet will continue to pursue transparency.

The case has drawn attention for its implications on public access to government records, especially in high-profile investigations involving public institutions.