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AG to investigate release of Lansing arrest report

By Rob South, WKAR News

EAST LANSING, MI – Lansing City Attorney Brigham Smith says he would welcome an investigation into his office's release of private medical information.

In June the HIV status of a man arrested at Fenner Nature Center was included in a Freedom of Information Act request. The request was sent to several media outlets, including WKAR. The State Public Health Code and HIPAA prohibit the public release of a person's HIV status.

Last week, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero sent Attorney General Mike Cox a letter requesting an independent investigation of the incident. Smith says there has been no violation of the law and he understands the necessity to investigate the incident. A spokesman for the Attorney General's office says it has yet to receive the letter.

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