People Have the Power also posted a scandal roundup.
For those like SusanG at Daily Kos, who fears that "the rat's nest of Ohio politics [is] being left uninvestigated for fear of jail time" because the Plain Dealer's suppressed stories must be connected to Coingate, there's good news: All the litigation described above is taking place in state and county courts, where Ohio's very strong reporter shield laws apply. Here's Ohio Revised Code Section 2739.12:
No person engaged in the work of, or connected with, or employed by any newspaper or any press association for the purpose of gathering, procuring, compiling, editing, disseminating, or publishing news shall be required to disclose the source of any information procured or obtained by such person in the course of his employment, in any legal proceeding, trial, or investigation before any court, grand jury, petit jury, or any officer thereof, before the presiding officer of any tribunal, or his agent, or before any commission, department, division, or bureau of this state, or before any county or municipal body, officer or committee thereof.There's a similar section for broadcast reporters. Doesn't leave much room for doubt, does it? If the PD's secret documents concern the operation of a state agency like the BWC, there's very little danger of a reporter or editor getting jail time for protecting their source.
So assuming Doug Clifton is quoting the PD's lawyers accurately, those documents are about something else -- something in Federal jurisdiction. Like, possibly, the Nate Gray investigation.
Update: "Chief justice disqualifies entire Cuyahoga County court". Yes, you read that right. It's the Hagan vs. Taft case mentioned above. Read it and rub your eyes in wonder. (via De Magno Opere)