WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A federal judge is asking why records should remain sealed in a soon-to-be-settled lawsuit over the death of a Florida man in the 2001 anthrax attacks.
U.S. District Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley says in court papers the public generally has access rights to such documents. Those sealed include personnel records of Army scientist Bruce Ivins. He's blamed by the FBI for the attacks that killed five people and sickened 17 others.
Other sealed documents involve security procedures at the Maryland Army lab where Ivins worked.
The attorney for Maureen Stevens, whose husband died in the attacks, says there's no reason to keep those documents sealed.
Justice Department lawyers have not yet responded.
Both sides say a settlement of Stevens' lawsuit is imminent.
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