Ohio prison lawyer leaves

Greg Trout departs after 3 decades; oversaw lawsuits from riots to religion

Greg Trout, the top lawyer for the Ohio prisons system, steps down this month after more than three decades to take a new job with the Ohio Attorney General's office.

COLUMBUS — The top lawyer for the Ohio prisons system steps down this month after more than three decades to take a new job with the Ohio attorney general's office.

Greg Trout, chief legal counsel for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, handled lawsuits ranging from the country's deadliest prison riot to freedom of religion claims by inmates who wanted to worship ancient Norse gods.

Some of the most contentious legal issues handled by Trout involved capital punishment, with arguments and lawsuits over execution policies ongoing.

The 61-year-old Trout is the nation's longest-serving chief legal counsel for a state corrections department as he steps down.

Prisons director Gary Mohr says Trout's level of experience and knowledge leaves a great void for the agency.