Ohio high court rejects open-records lawsuit

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that volunteer committees that created recommendations for Cuyahoga County’s charter government are not subject to the state’s open-records laws.

The ruling Wednesday struck down a lawsuit filed by the Ohio chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU had accused county leaders of refusing to release public documents about the government transition. Thirteen committees met in open sessions during 2010.

The ACLU says the ruling gives a “blank check” to public officials who want to conduct business behind closed doors.

County Executive Ed FitzGerald was elected in November as the county’s first executive, replacing three commissioners as part of a county government overhaul approved by voters.