On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, WBIW reported that Judge Robert Cline recused himself from the case of former Lawrence County Auditor Jessica Staggs and requested a special judge to preside over the matter.
Jessica Staggs appeared in Lawrence Superior Court II for her initial hearing on official misconduct charges. Staggs turned herself in to authorities in mid-August after a warrant was issued for her arrest. She is facing one charge of official misconduct, a Level 6 felony.
During the hearing, Judge Cline stepped away from the case and an unspecified special judge will now oversee proceedings involving Staggs. No reason was given for Judge Cline’s recusal.
Additionally, a letter from concerned taxpayers in the community was submitted to the court. In the letter, residents expressed worries that Staggs was attempting to use an alternate name, Jessica Jones-Staggs, to possibly obscure her identity and past from public view. However, the letter asserted she has gone solely by Jessica Staggs in her official roles and did not formally adopt any additional surname.
The taxpayers urged the judge to only permit court documents to reference Staggs by her legal name and not an unfamiliar moniker. They further requested the court take the misconduct allegations seriously and pursue appropriate charges befitting the suspected improprieties.
Staggs formerly occupied the elected offices of Oolitic Town Clerk-Treasurer and Lawrence County Auditor. A State Board of Accounts investigation found around $79,816 missing from town utility funds during Staggs’ tenure as clerk-treasurer. She resigned as auditor in December 2023 amid the investigation.
It remains unclear when Staggs will face further legal proceedings now that Judge Cline has recused himself and transferred the case to a special judge as the legal process moves forward.
Source: WBIW
