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Lawsuit Against Ohio's Attorney General Seeks Information About Involvement With Republican Group

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost at his 2016 sunshine initiative news conference
Jo Ingles
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost at his 2016 sunshine initiative news conference

A liberal leaning watchdog group says Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has used his official capacity to collaborate in partisan efforts. And it's filed a lawsuitto compel Yost to turn over documents related to work he’s done with a Republican Attorneys General Association.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has often spoken about the need for state agencies and office holders to follow the 'Sunshine law' but now he's the one being accused of failing to do that.

Columbus attorney Fred Gittes represents the Center for Media and Democracy. He says that group has been trying to get copies of communications between Yost and the Republican Attorney General Association.

“We were initially that the records requested were not public records under Ohio law and then when the center explained why they would be, the second response from the attorney general’s office was that they had no such records," Gittes says.

Gittes says the group already has some proof some records exist but wants more details. A spokeswoman for Yost issued a one-line response, saying the office provided the documents that are legally required and reflect official business.

Copyright 2020 The Statehouse News Bureau

Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment.