Arkansas Supremes say lover’s e-mails are public; New Jersey columnist could learn from that.

Yesterday, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that e-mails exchanged between a county comptroller and his lover–whose company had a $1.1 million contract with that county–are public records.

The decision was a result of a lawsuit filed by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette after Pulaski County refused to honor its open records request. The e-mails in question were sent and received during work hours.

Meanwhile, Erick Wakiaga, a columnist for a Gannett newspaper in New Jersey, on Wednesday wrote a hit on the New Jersey GOP for asking for copies of the e-mails exchanged between New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine and his former paramour and current labor organizer during contract negotiations with the state.

Columnist Wakiaga says that the GOP’s attempt to get the e-mails is a “wild expedition” and pre-empts the work of New Jersey courts by announcing:

The e-mails, however, are not subject to disclosure under New Jersey’s open-records law. And seeking the e-mails is an abuse of a law that should give the public access to more information.

Erick? Meet the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Our previous coverage of the Corzine-Katz e-mail case:

Corzine says e-mails should remain private.

E-mail and open records: Nothing but trouble for two state governors.

I HATE WORKING WITH A**HOLES.