A Pulaski County Circuit judge has dismissed part of Attorney General Tim Griffin’s lawsuit against the Arkansas Board of Corrections involving its former private attorney.
Judge Timothy Fox ruled Tuesday that no active dispute remains because the board voted last month to fire attorney Abtin Mehdizadegan and his firm, Hall Booth Smith, and not pay them. Fox wrote that “there is no actual case or controversy before the court.”
Griffin’s 2023 lawsuit alleged the board violated state procurement laws and the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act when hiring Mehdizadegan, who represented the board in a separate legal fight over authority to oversee top corrections officials.
Fox did not dismiss claims related to public-records violations and gave both sides 45 days to determine whether any issues remain. Griffin’s office said it is reviewing the ruling and considering next steps.
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