Public records request sparks transparency debate in Lee County Sheriff’s race
A candidate for Lee County sheriff is raising concerns about transparency after submitting a series of public records requests to the sheriff’s office as the race for the county’s top law enforcement position begins to take shape.
On the left, Marine Corps veteran Cam Hunt / On the right, Sheriff Jay Jones
Cam Hunt, a Marine Corps veteran and law enforcement official, is running for the position of Lee County sheriff against longtime sheriff Jay Jones.
On March 12, Hunt announced on his campaign’s social media page that he hand-delivered several public records requests under Alabama’s Public Records Law to a sheriff’s office employee on February 19, 2026 — 21 days ago. In the requests, Hunt said he asked for records involving concealed carry permit revenue and spending, jail use-of-force incidents, lawsuits and legal claims involving the department, jail medical service contracts, equipment purchases and communications contracts.
One of the requests also seeks records related to inmate deaths and serious injuries in the county jail over the past 15 years.
Hunt said reviewing such records is part of understanding how a law enforcement agency operates.
“These are not my records. They belong to the people of Lee County,” Hunt said. “Public records laws exist so citizens can see how their government operates and how taxpayer money is being used.”
Hunt said the requests were hand-delivered to Lt. Sumner on February 19 — 89 days before the May 19 primary election — and that he believed that provided ample time for the records to be gathered and reviewed.
“I submitted them in good faith and believed that was ample time for the records to be gathered and reviewed,” Hunt said.
Hunt said the first official communication he received regarding the requests came in a letter dated March 6, which he said appeared to acknowledge receipt of the requests.
“If the 45-business-day extension runs from that date, it would place the deadline around May 8,” Hunt said.
Hunt said on March 6 the sheriff’s office notified him via email it would invoke a 45-business-day extension before producing the requested documents. Based on that timeline, Hunt said the records may not be released until after the May 19 primary election, a point he said raises concerns about transparency.
“Transparency should never be something government avoids,” Hunt said. “It should be something it embraces.”
“Public records requests are a normal part of transparency and accountability in government, and I believe the people of Lee County deserve access to that information,” he added.
In response, Jay Jones, the current sheriff, said the extension is part of the normal legal process for large-scale public records requests and should not be interpreted as a refusal to release information.
Jones said the requests involve “large volumes of records spanning many years,” including jail operations, contracts, financial records, lawsuits, use-of-force reports and communications agreements. Because the records may contain sensitive information, Jones said they must be carefully reviewed and redacted before being released.
“Requests of that scope require significant time to gather, review and ensure that confidential or legally protected information — such as medical data, personal identifiers and sensitive law enforcement material — is properly redacted,” Jones said.
Jones said invoking the 45-day extension allowed under Alabama law ensures the records are produced “accurately and responsibly.”
“This is not a refusal. It is not a delay tactic,” Jones said. “It is the standard legal process used when requests are extensive and involve sensitive information related to jail operations, personnel matters and ongoing legal considerations.”
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said processing the request will take time due to the scope of the documents requested and the need to comply with privacy and legal requirements.
The issue comes nine weeks before voters head to the polls to vote for sheriff in Lee County, Alabama.
To learn about each candidate, click the articles below:
Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones announces intention to run for re-election
Marine Corps veteran, law enforcement officer announces intention to run for Sheriff of Lee County
Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones’ campaign site can be found here
Cam Hunt’s campaign site can be found here.
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