FAIRFAX, Va. – A judge has ruled against a group seeking details of the Koch Foundation's gifts to a Virginia university.
The Koch Foundation has given tens of millions of dollars over the years to George Mason University, more than any school in the country. The relationship faced increased scrutiny since the university named its law school for conservative jurist Antonin Scalia in 2016, in conjunction with a Koch Foundation donation.
Student-led group Transparent GMU sought details of donor agreements with the foundation.
Judge John M. Tran ruled Thursday that the George Mason University Foundation is not a public body and not subject to freedom-of-information laws.
Left unclear is the precise role of the school's Gift Acceptance Committee. The judge said the committee cannot work in secrecy.
The transparency group said it will appeal the ruling.
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