The State - News from Oct. 23, 1988

A Merced County Superior Court judge has ruled that a grand jury report containing accusations of misconduct against Sheriff Bill Amis may remain sealed. Judge Donald Fretz said release of the transcripts would endanger Amis’ right to a fair trial and violate the privacy of people named in the transcripts who are not accused of wrongdoing. The grand jury last month accused Amis of 21 counts of misconduct in office, ranging from bar-hopping in a county car to misappropriating funds to build a political war chest. No criminal indictment was handed down. The Merced Sun Star, the Fresno Bee and the Modesto Bee asked the court to release portions of the transcripts dealing with the Amis case. Phil Norgaard, attorney for the newspapers, said Fretz’s ruling will be appealed. Amis has said he will resign when a successor is elected in 1990.