A stormwater program is vetting a contractor. A public court-index search shows the firm as a defendant on a prior municipal project, and sealed filings are not available. What is the correct OSINT use of that result?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation
A public index is the courthouse bulletin board, not the judge’s locked drawer. Grab the caption, parties, and case number, and say out loud that sealed files stayed sealed. That is a lead for stormwater—not a homemade verdict and not a portal break-in.
Full Explanation
Public court indexes and dockets are lawful business-OSINT sources for municipal vendor due diligence, supporting a sourced lead of case number, caption, parties, and public status. Sealed filings, privileged exhibits, and e-filing intrusions are out of PORP collection. An index hit is not a finding of liability, so the report should not invent a fraud conclusion or skip citations. Procurement or counsel can decide what the public record means after the OSINT product is delivered.