CLEVELAND, Ohio — A fight is brewing inside Cuyahoga County government over who should have authority over county contracts and legal advice, pitting Prosecutor Michael O’Malley against County Executive Chris Ronayne and his law department in a battle that may ultimately have to be decided in court or by voters.
At issue is whether the county prosecutor or the county law director should be in charge of drafting, reviewing and negotiating county contracts, as well as advising county departments on legal matters.
O’Malley argues those duties belong under his authority, citing a recent opinion from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost that said state law governing Ohio’s commissioner-lead counties gives the prosecutor most legal responsibilities. But Ronayne maintains that the county charter intended something different in creating a law department specifically to help carry out the executive’s duties, which include overseeing departments, negotiating labor contracts and signing off on agreements…