BREAKING: The Ohio Supreme Court’s disciplinary counsel has just accused outgoing Cleveland Housing Court Judge W. Moná Scott of serious judicial misconduct, raising urgent concerns about her conduct as she prepares to leave office on December 22, 2023. The complaint alleges that Scott abused her authority by pressuring prosecutors to aggressively target landlords while neglecting court orders on eviction cases.
The complaint, filed with the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct, follows Scott’s recent defeat in the general election against Cheryl Wiltshire, who won by just 705 votes out of more than 38,000 votes cast. Now, Scott faces an investigation that could lead to severe disciplinary actions, including potential license revocation.
According to Disciplinary Counsel Joseph Caligiuri, Scott “abandoned judicial neutrality” and threatened city law officials with judicial orders if they did not pursue cases against landlords. In a shocking email exchange, Scott expressed her disapproval of the city’s tendency to reach plea agreements, asserting that their belief in having the authority to dismiss cases was “unfounded in law.”
This misconduct has profound implications for landlords in Cleveland, who have faced detrimental delays and legal fees due to Scott’s actions. The complaint outlines how she ignored multiple court orders from the Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals, delaying rulings on eviction cases which caused landlords significant financial strain.
“Scott repeatedly ignored Ohio law and the Eighth District’s directives, causing harmful delays,” the complaint states, emphasizing the impact on landlords’ ability to manage their properties.
The fallout from the complaint could reshape the Cleveland Housing Court, which deals with both criminal and civil housing cases. Scott’s alleged misconduct raises questions about the fairness of judicial proceedings and the treatment of landlords in the city.
The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct will now investigate these serious accusations. If misconduct is confirmed, the board will submit its findings to the Ohio Supreme Court, which has the authority to impose a range of penalties, from public reprimands to complete revocation of Scott’s law license.
As Scott prepares to vacate her position, the implications of this investigation could resonate far beyond her tenure. The case highlights ongoing tensions between housing courts and landlords, prompting calls for judicial reform in Ohio.
What happens next? All eyes are on the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct as they prepare to delve deeper into the allegations against Scott. The outcome of this investigation could have lasting impacts on housing court practices and landlord-tenant relations in Cleveland.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as the situation unfolds. Share this critical news to keep others informed!
