SPRINGFIELD Mo.
The only authorized taped copy of a speech given by former Attorney General John Ashcroft has been returned after Missouri State University officials objected to restrictions placed on who could listen to it.
Ashcroft spoke at the university last week during a conference organized by the Heartland Regional Council of the Institute of Management Accounts.
Ashcroft’s contract did not allow the media to make an audio recording of his speech but did not place the same restrictions on the audience.
The university planned to keep an audio recording of the speech at its library, which is open to the public, but Ashcroft’s representatives said it could be accessed only by current students and faculty.
Missouri State attorney John Black said the university could not follow that restriction and returned the tape on Monday to the Harry Walker Agency, which books Ashcroft’s appearances.
A message left Saturday with the agency by The Associated Press was not immediately returned.
