State ex rel. Beacon Journal Publishing Co. v. Whitmore

R.C. 149.011(G) and 149.43; Public Records

Relators assert that they are entitled to a writ of mandamus to compel the disclosure of the requested letters.

Mandamus is the appropriate remedy to compel compliance with Ohio’s Public Records Act, R.C. 149.43. State ex rel. Steckman v. Jackson (1994), 70 Ohio *63St.3d 420, 426, 639 N.E.2d 83, 89. A “public record” is “any record that is kept by any public office * * *.” R.C. 149.43(A)(1). Judge Whitmore’s office is a “public office.” R.C. 149.011(A) and (B). R.C. 149.011(G) defines “records” broadly to include “any document, device, or item, regardless…