Judge gives lawyers one week to narrow subpoena scope in Fiji sexual assault lawsuit

Lang
2/12/22

A judge has given lawyers for the reported victim in a sexual assault lawsuit involving the Fiji fraternity one week to narrow the scope of their requested subpoena seeking records from the University of Iowa.

Judge Kevin McKeever said Friday that while the subpoena would likely uncover key details in the case, it also requests more information than is necessary.

McKeever gave lawyers for Makena Solberg one week to either contact him or scale back the scope of the order before he makes a ruling.

Lawyers for the defendants in the case, Carson Steffen and Jacob Meloan, are fighting the subpoena, which was filed in December. The subpoena asks the UI to release records pertaining to Steffen and Meloan and their alleged misconduct as part of the Phi Gamma Delta, or Fiji, fraternity.

Steffen and Meloan are resisting the subpoena, arguing releasing the information would violate their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Trial is set for July of 2023.

Steffen pleaded not guilty on Monday to a criminal charge of 1st Degree Harassment after he allegedly used Snapchat to distribute images of a woman having sex without her permission. A case management conference is set for April 4th.