Gains: Outside counsel necessary in Oakhill public-records case

YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning County Prosecutor Paul J. Gains said he’s entitled to outside counsel in a public records case at the Ohio Supreme Court because he is a defendant in that case.

Gains made his argument today at the 7th District Court of Appeals. The three-judge panel consisting of Judges Joseph J. Vukovich, Gene Donofrio and Mary DeGenaro, will rule at a later date.

Gains appealed the refusal of Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to let the county commissioners spend up to $50,000 to use a Columbus law firm to represent the county in the public records case at the state’s top court.

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