Click the play button on the video window to the right to see the storyPHOENIX -- Even though construction is already underway on the new Maricopa County court tower in downtown Phoenix, records behind the project remain shrouded in secrecy.
Eight months after the ABC15 Investigators first filed public records requests seeking billing statements, invoices, and emails regarding the $350 million project, county officials continue to keep these records unavailable behind locked doors.
According to information released at Wednesday's Maricopa County Board of Supervisors meeting, $47 million has already been spent on the court tower, which will be one of the largest construction projects in county government history.
It's currently under construction on the block bordered by First and Second Avenues, and Jackson and Madison Streets.
The county claims the records need to be reviewed and that some of the information contained in the documents may be confidential.
"The records and the emails, to the extent that they're not privileged or protected, should be made available to you immediately," said Maricopa County Manager David Smith.
Late Wednesday afternoon, a county spokesperson told ABC15 they have an employee working full-time to screen the records before their release.
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