ESPN sues Notre Dame over police records involving athletes; says school violated records law

ESPN has filed a lawsuit alleging the University of Notre Dame has violated Indiana's public records laws by withholding police records it requested about possible campus crimes involving student athletes.

The lawsuit filed last week in St. Joseph County Superior Court says Public Access Counselor Luke Britt has twice issued advisory opinions that private universities in Indiana that have professional police forces should follow the state's public records laws.

Notre Dame spokesman Dennis Brown said Wednesday that the university believes its practices are in "full accord with the Access to Public Records Act and consistent with multiple advisory opinions that have addressed this matter over the past 12 years."

The lawsuit contends ESPN is entitled to an unspecified civil penalty, attorney's fees, court costs and other expenses.