Assistant Erie County prosecutor fired

SANDUSKY — Assistant Erie County prosecutor Jeanne Lippert was fired by the prosecutor's office on Tuesday. The Register had made a public records request to the prosecutor's office Wednesday after a source claimed Lippert had been placed on administrative leave. Erie County prosecutor Kevin Baxter confirmed that Lippert was placed on administrative leave Tuesday, but was then fired hours later. Chief assistant Erie County prosecutor Gerhard Gross provided the Register with Lippert's termination letter. Gross denied the Register's request for related documents, stating that the records are "exempt from release as public records pursuant to (the Ohio Revised Code) which exempts from release any 'trial preparation records,' which are records that contain information that is specifically compiled in reasonable anticipation of a criminal action or proceeding." He added: "In addition, they are exempt under (the Ohio Revised Code) as information assembled in connection with a probable or pending criminal proceeding. There is an ongoing investigation of matters related to this situation. Those exemptions remain in effect until there is some resolution of this matter." The nature of Lippert's termination, and the "probable or pending criminal proceeding" Gross referred to, is unclear. According to Lippert's personnel file, she was hired by the prosecutor's office in February 2000. Her personnel file does not list any disciplinary actions against her.