Cleveland Law Library Weblog

Ohio AG and Ohio State Bar Foundation Issue 8 Informational Videos on Ohio's Sunshine Laws

According to an Ohio Attorney General News Release, the Ohio AG and the Ohio State Bar Foundation have released 8 informational videos on Ohio's Sunshine Laws (i.e., Open Meetings and Open Records laws). These videos supplement the AG's Sunshine Laws Manual, can be viewed on the Internet, and cover the following topics:

• What is a “public office” and what is a “public record” under the Public Records Act?
• How do you make a public records request?
• How is the Confidential Law Enforcement Investigatory Records (CLEIRs) exemption applied?
• Who is a “public body” subject to the Open Meetings Act?
• When can a public body enter into executive session for the purpose of consulting with its legal counsel?
• When can a public body enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel matters?
• What remedies exist under Ohio’s Sunshine Laws?
• How can the Ohio Attorney General’s Public Records Mediation Program help resolve disputes about Ohio’s Sunshine Laws?

Ohio Attorney General Opinions now available online for free back to 1846

According to a press release, Ohio Attorney General Opinions are now available online for free back to 1846. Search options include browsing by year or decade or searching by topic. According to the AG's website, "[a]n Attorney General opinion is an official statement of the Attorney General’s views on a legal question.  An Attorney General opinion may also be referred to as a “formal opinion.”"  

Ohio Attorney General Issues New Online Sunshine Laws Manual aka Yellow Book

The Ohio Attorney General's office has updated its very useful online Sunshine Laws Manual, which is also known as the Yellow Book. Despite its name, the Yellow Book covers both open meetings and public records laws in Ohio. Sunshine law training is apparently provided by the AG's office on a regular basis at various locations throughout the state of Ohio. Click here to read the AG's Press Release, which indicates that the release of the revised manual coincides with Sunshine Week, which is coincidentally being celebrated this week.

Ohio AG Will Now Defend Appellate Judges and Courts in Non-Monetary Civil Suits

As part of HB 10, the Ohio Attorney General's office will now be representing appellate judges and courts in non-monetary civil suits. A letter the AG's office sent to the courts provides that: "any cases seeking only equitable relief (e.g., writs of mandamus or procedendo) and filed against Appellate Court Judges will be handled by the Constitutional Offices Section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.” According to the Supreme Court's press release, the AG's office will also provide representation to appeals court employees whether monetary relief is requested or not.

Ohio Supreme Court and AG Team Up to Help Law Enforcement

The Ohio Supreme Court and the Ohio Attorney General's office have just announced a new cooperative initiative to help law enforcement officials throughout the state. According to the Court's press release, officers and deputies will be able to search a combined database of case information from the Ohio Court's Network and data from the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway operated by BCI.

Ohio AG Settles for $8.44 with Drug Companies

Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray has announced an $8.44 million settlement with drug companies who allegedly falsely reported their wholesale drug prices. According to the underlying suit, this data resulted in the Ohio Medicaid Program over-paying pharmacies dispensing drugs to recipients of Medicaid. The four companies involved are: Abbott Laboratories, Pharmacia Corp., Roxane Laboratories, Inc. and Warrick Phamaceuticals, Inc.

Ohio AG Voluntarily Dismisses Lead Paint Suit

According to a Press Release from Friday, the Ohio Attorney General has dismissed the lead paint lawsuit former AG Marc Dann filed in Franklin County CP Court in April of 2007. The Press Release indicates that instead of a lawsuit, the new AG intends to seek public/private partnerships to try and remedy problems created by lead paint exposure. Click here to read our prior post about a 2007 Ohio Supreme Court opinion declining to hear a case involving several paint manufacturers.

Kentucky Wants Its Rock Back

In a dispute over who owns a big rock dredged from the bottom of the Ohio River, Kentucky's Attorney General has sued the city of Portsmouth, Ohio and others to get the rock back from Ohio. This case originated in 2007 when an Ohio historian and his team removed this historic rock on the premise that its carvings would otherwise be lost or damaged. I have been following this squabble over the rock, which is no pet rock, for months. Now, after trying to work out a settlement, the Feb. 5th edition of the Daily Legal News reports that the case has gone to court. Although the rock currently resides in Ohio, Kentucky wants it back. Can't they share it to avoid a legal battle and all those legal fees?

Richard Cordray Will Take Over as Ohio AG on Jan. 8th

On January 8th, 2009, current Ohio Treasurer Richard Cordray will take over for OSU Law Dean Nancy Rogers as Ohio's newest Attorney General. Cordray will be the 3rd person to sit in the AG's seat in the last 12 months. Click here to read our prior post about Dean Rogers' 5-month appointment.

OSU Dean to Sub as New Ohio AG

Governer Strickland has appointed Ohio State University College of Law Dean Nancy Rodgers as the Ohio Attorney General for the next 5 months. To fill this temporary position until a new AG can be elected in November, Dean Rodgers has taken a leave of absence from her duties at the University. On the drive in today, I heard her state that she has no intention of running for office in the Fall after completing her interim duties as AG. Dean Rodgers is a highly respected attorney who serves as the Moritz Law School Chair in Alternative Dispute Resolution. She was recently honored and acknowledged at the Ohio State Bar Association convention in Columbus, Ohio. Click here to read an article from cleveland.com's blog.