State ex rel. Toledo Blade Co. v. University of Toledo Foundation

R.C. 149.43(C) provides that a person aggrieved by the failure of a governmental unit to make available a public record may bring a mandamus action in this court pursuant to its original jurisdiction under Section 2, Article IV of the Ohio Constitution. Respondents do not challenge this court’s jurisdiction over this matter.

This case presents two related issues: (1) whether the foundation is a “public office” pursuant to R.C. 149.011(A) and thus subject to the open-records requirements of R.C. 149.43; and (2) if so, whether the names of donors to the foundation are public records not excepted…