Just as Santa keeps a list of who’s been naughty and nice, so does the
New York Coalition for Open Government.
Every year, NYCOG looks at what public officials across New York State actually
do when it comes to transparency — not what they say at press conferences,
but how they behave when residents, journalists, and watchdogs ask for records,
access, and answers.
On December 18, 2025, NYCOG released its annual
Naughty & Nice List, highlighting officials and government bodies
that either respected the public’s right to know — or worked to undermine it.
This list isn’t symbolic. Every entry is tied to documented actions: court rulings,
FOIL cases, vetoes, secret settlements, blocked public participation, or — in some
cases — real progress toward open government.
How the List Is Put Together
The Naughty & Nice List is nonpartisan and fact-based.
Entries are based on things like:
- Court decisions and litigation outcomes
- Compliance (or noncompliance) with FOIL
- Open Meetings Law violations
- Restrictions on public participation
- Public statements or policies that affect transparency
In short: this list reflects how power is exercised when no one wants to be watched.
The 2025 Naughty List: Transparency Losers
This year’s Naughty List spans all levels of government, from City Halls to Albany.
The common thread isn’t ideology — it’s secrecy.
- Erie County Sheriff John Garcia, sued by major news organizations
for FOIL violations involving police discipline - Dillon Moran, a Saratoga Springs commissioner found guilty after
trial of violating FOIL - State Senator Pat Gallivan, for introducing legislation aimed at
rolling back a court victory expanding access to police disciplinary records - The Town of Hempstead, held in contempt of court for willfully
withholding thousands of public emails - The Oswego County Legislature, for limiting public comment and
refusing to reconsider - The Syracuse Common Council, for private budget discussions and
refusing to release a draft audit - The City of Buffalo, for ongoing failures to process FOIL requests
as required by law - The Town of Evans, for secretly settling a defamation lawsuit using
public funds - Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino, for stating he would ignore
FOIL requests from a newspaper - Governor Kathy Hochul, for vetoing two FOIL reform bills after
promising greater transparency
Different offices. Different excuses. Same result: the public kept in the dark.
The 2025 Nice List: Transparency Done Right
Thankfully, not everyone made the wrong call.
NYCOG’s Nice List recognizes people and organizations who stood up for transparency —
often against institutional resistance.
- Attorney Mike Brandi, whose FOIL enforcement efforts led to New
York State’s first criminal FOIL conviction - Ryan Brosnan, Troy City Councilmember, for enabling public
participation via video meetings - Moses Koth, East Ramapo School District, for calling out late-filed
agenda items - New York Civil Liberties Union, for years of litigation securing
access to police disciplinary records - Beryl Lipton (USA Today), for leading national reporting on police
discipline transparency - James Russell, a Mount Pleasant resident who filed — and won — a
FOIL lawsuit on his own - Frank Castiglia, Oswego County legislator and longtime advocate for
public participation - The Canton Town Board, for refusing to improperly enter a joint
executive session - Reclaim The Records, for winning access to more than 10 million
public records - Lindsay Lorigo, Erie County legislator, for passing the Meetings
Transparency Act
Watch the Press Conference / Get the Slides
If you couldn’t attend the press conference, NYCOG has made everything available:
Why This Matters
Open government laws are meaningless if they’re ignored, delayed, or quietly
undermined.
The Naughty & Nice List exists to document those choices — good and bad — and to
remind officials that transparency isn’t optional, seasonal, or decorative.
It’s the law.
Happy Holidays,
New York Coalition for Open Government