Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann ran on a campaign of open government, ready access to public records, and respect for Sunshine Laws.
But, according to Gongwer News Service, Dann threw all that rhetoric out the window today and sent his taxpayer-funded lawyers to keep Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner's legal testimony in the dark. Dann's lawyers argued Brunner should not have to give a video recorded deposition in a lawsuit involving the Summit County Republican Party and, when the court denied that motion, the lawyers argued the video should not be made public.
What's Jennifer Brunner trying to hide?
Assistant Attorney General Richard Coglianese said the motion to seal was intended to protect the video of the Democratic secretary of state from becoming "campaign advertising fodder" in the future.
So apparently the same Democrats who ran on improving government accountability through greater visibility of elected officials have changed their minds.
The Youngstown Vindicator reported that Marc Dann promised in his inaugural speech to insist on "transparency and accountability in all government institutions, including his office." They added, "Dann said he'll 'vigorously demand strict adherence to all open-record and sunshine laws.'"
Unless you're Jennifer Brunner.
