SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) _ A federal judge has ruled the South Bend Police Department violated the Federal Wiretap Act by continuing to record telephone conversations after learning a captain's telephone line was being inadvertently taped, but says previous recordings didn't violate the law because no one knew it was occurring.
The South Bend Tribune reports various parties in the controversy are interpreting portions of the split decision as victories. But it's still unclear whether the public will hear parts of the tapes that have cost taxpayers about $1.6 million in attorney fees and to settle three lawsuits.
Mayor Pete Buttigieg says eight tapes fall under U.S. District Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen's ruling Wednesday. He says seven of those tapes can't be released, but it isn't clear whether the other one can.
