The Peoples’ Records

Maybe,
In a 2008 opinion that did not reach the exact issue, the Supreme Court held that emails from a public email system are public records. http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/0/2008/2008-Ohio-4788.pdf. It would make sense that if a public official used a private email account to perform his or her job, then at least those emails related to public duties should be seen as public records. That means destruction of those emails might make the public official liable for $1,000 per email. Best practice: Public officials should use their public email system for the public’s business.