On Monday, August 19, 2024, Dayton Daily News reported that the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts and a Montgomery County Municipal Court judge pleaded not guilty to felony charges in court.
According to the report, Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Mike Foley, 56, and Montgomery County Municipal Judge James Piergies were arraigned in front of Visiting Judge Jonathan Hein. Foley faces a total of 12 counts related to attempted unlawful interest in a public contract, theft in office, unauthorized computer use, and soliciting political contributions from public employees. Piergies faces charges of attempted unlawful interest in a public contract regarding his son’s employment.
As County Clerk of Courts, Foley oversees election administration and record keeping for the court system. He was recently indicted in July along with Judge Piergies. If convicted of a felony, Foley would be disqualified from holding his elected office. Judge Piergies, 72, has been removed from the bench since his indictment.
At the arraignment, special prosecutors requested that Foley and Piergies be released without bond. However, they must agree not to contact any potential witnesses in the case. The charges stem from an investigation launched by the Ohio Auditor of State’s office earlier this year into the clerk’s office.
After pleading not guilty, Foley reaffirmed his intention to seek reelection this November against Democratic challenger Lynn Cooper. He maintains his innocence, calling the accusations “politically motivated” as the election nears. Piergies’ lawyer declined to comment.
Meanwhile, local Democrats have publicly urged the officials to resign, questioning the use of taxpayer money for their legal defense. Republicans also want Foley to step down from office. Both men will attend a phone conference in the coming weeks as their cases proceed through the legal system.
Source: Dayton Daily News
