Opinion ID: 1591641
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Active Investigation

Text: We next consider whether the investigation was active when the orders and objections were released to the media. This inquiry requires us to determine whether DOLI's fact-finding process had been completed or was ongoing at that time. Although DOLI argues that the formal investigation ended on March 6, 1998, there is evidence that the fact-finding process did not end at that time. The orders and objections were created in September and October 1998 and released to the media in October 1998. On March 9, 1999, DOLI issued a second amended order aimed at Dennis and Trevor Westrom, individually, and WBC  an order that did not list Torrey Westrom as an individual respondent. The record does not indicate what led to the decision to issue this second amended order and to effectively drop the charges against Torrey Westrom in the WBC matter. Yet, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the Westroms, the party against whom summary judgment was granted, this decision may have been the result of fact-finding conducted subsequent to the issuance of the September 25, 1998, order identifying Torrey Westrom as an individual respondent in the WBC matter. This evidence suggests that the investigation was still active when the orders and objections were created and released. Further, DOLI's argument would presume that the investigation ended before the first orders were issued. But, the record does not indicate that the Westroms were even aware that an investigation was under way until the orders were issued. We are reluctant to conclude that a civil investigation could begin and end before the subject of the investigation is provided notice, much less given the opportunity to respond. Finally, for summary judgment purposes, the Westroms are entitled to rely on the admissions made in the letter of the Assistant Attorney General, on behalf of DOLI, that the matter was still pending and was an active investigation as late as April 28, 1999, long after the orders and objections had been released to the media.