Attorneys for The Dallas Morning News have obtained a declaration that a North Texas agency is subject to the Texas Public Information Act and must answer an open records request by the newspaper.

Judge Eric Moyé of the 14th District Court in Dallas entered a final judgment on a counterclaim by The News, according to the newspaper’s attorneys at the law firm Jackson Walker. The newspaper requested information about the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency and its certification of companies as eligible for minority set–aside programs involving millions of dollars in contract awards by local governments.

To read The News’ reporting on the subject, click here.

Attorney Paul Watler, a board member of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and a former FOIFT president, represented the newspaper along with former associate Ryan Pittman. The court awarded attorneys’ fees of $77,292 to the newspaper.