The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has thrown out a subpoena that would have given the FBI access to personal emails sent by former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber. A three-judge panel ruled Wednesday that the subpoena was "unreasonably overbroad."
The decision overturns a lower court's ruling. It comes as a federal investigation continues into possible influence peddling by Kitzhaber.
But the ruling shields only some of the governor's emails. Basically the judges are saying that the subpoena should not have gone after all of the emails, both personal and public by Kitzhaber and instead should be tailored more specifically to emails in which the governor discussed public business.
The decision means investigators will have to submit a new subpoena if they still want access to Kitzhaber's work-related correspondence.
Kitzhaber stepped down from office last year, just one month into his fourth term as Oregon governor.
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