Judge blocks release of records

An Orange County Superior Court judge has temporarily blocked the release of financial documents from the Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center, which City Council candidate Gregg DeLong tried to obtain through a public records request.

DeLong, who filed a claim last week against the city and equestrian center, requested the center’s annual operating statements from 2005 to 2009. In his claim, DeLong alleged that a number of subcontracting businesses at the center owe the city more than $1.5 million in revenues.

This afternoon, a judge issued a temporary restraining order against the documents. A follow-up hearing to determine whether the documents will be permanently withheld is scheduled for Feb. 11.

DeLong said he was frustrated by the ruling and that he felt the city hadn’t supported him in his quest for what he considered public information.

“I was very let down that the city attorney did nothing more than shrug his shoulders for a citizen of Huntington Beach,” he said. “I was very frustrated by the city’s lack of response to a citizen.”

A clause in the agreement between the city and equestrian center specifies that information obtained through audits or inspection of records will not be disclosed to anyone unless they are engaged in business with the city.

DeLong’s claim alleges that the city has failed to collect owed revenues from businesses that work at the equestrian center and that the center’s management has charged higher rates to select boarders, allowed unlicensed businesses to operate on the premises, intimidated boarders and employed undocumented workers.