The Leader has yet to correct Jill Stanek’s Column June 24th Column saying the files were sealed from the end of the divorce–which is not the case. There was a one year period where the files were not sealed.
Jeff Berkowitz graciously gives me a walk on the files sealing issue, though he still thinks it’s an open question. While it can be confusing, the key point is in Rick Pearson’s article which is consistent with other news outlets version of the timeline.
2000
June: Ryan requests that the court seal records of custody hearings that occurred after the couple’s divorce was finalized. The request is opposed by Jeri Ryan and rejected by the judge.
September: An attorney for Jeri Ryan says in a court filing that one of Ryan’s attorneys had told her a few months earlier that Ryan wanted parts of the divorce file blacked out, removed or sealed because he was “concerned [it] would negatively impact his political aspirations and embarrass him.”
2001
September: Ruling that portions of the Ryan divorce file, if revealed, could harm the couple’s young son, additional documents are sealed and all sealed documents are ordered removed for safekeeping in Ryan’s attorney’s office. Jeri Ryan supports the request, citing safety concerns after a man was convicted of stalking her.
The stalker was on Usenet in 2000 and his rantings are available here (warning strong adult content).
The joy of being a columnist at any media organization is that not only do you never have to say you’re sorry, you never have to admit you’re wrong.