AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State University is shielding the names of several people who have traveled with President Steven Leath, including his best friend, a National Rifle Association Board member and a controversial athletics booster.

The university last week released records of flights that Leath took in the last 2 1/2 years, but redacted names of passengers who joined Leath on trips. His travel has come under scrutiny following an investigation by The Associated Press.

The university said the names were exempt from the open records law since they are current or potential donors. That position drew criticism from the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, which said the redactions make it impossible to judge the legitimacy of Leath’s travel.

The AP obtained passenger names from flight records that had been online.