On Thursday, August 1, 2024, the Dayton Daily News reported that Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Mike Foley and Montgomery County Municipal Judge James Piergies had been indicted on corruption charges.

According to statements from Ohio Auditor Keith Faber, a months-long investigation by the Ohio Auditor’s office resulted in indictments against Foley and Piergies. Foley, who has served as Clerk of Courts since 2018 and was running for reelection in November, faced a dozen charges including attempted unlawful interest in a public contract, theft in office, and improper solicitation of campaign contributions from public employees. Piergies, a municipal court judge since 1995, was indicted on three counts of attempted unlawful interest in a public contract related to his son’s employment.

The charges stem from allegations of improper political activities involving public resources dating back to 2019. Faber said his office began investigating in October 2022 after receiving an anonymous complaint about solicitation of campaign funds from employees and other claims. In November 2022, investigators served a search warrant at the Clerk of Courts office, seizing records and materials.

Both Foley and Piergies pleaded not guilty to the charges and will appear again in court for arraignment on August 15. John Paul Rion, Foley’s attorney, stated that his client denies the allegations and questioned the timing of the indictment so close to the November election, suggesting political motivations. Foley also released a statement maintaining his innocence and asserting that the charges were unrelated to his official duties.

The allegations have drawn strong reactions from both political parties. Local Democratic Party Chair Mohamed Al-Hamdani called for Foley and Piergies to resign to restore public trust in the judicial system. Republican State Senator Niraj Antani also said the indictments warranted resignation if true to uphold ethics in public office.

Lynn Cooper, Foley’s Democratic opponent in November’s election, said the situation casts a shadow on the integrity of the Clerk’s office. The Montgomery County Commissioners expressed hope the allegations prove false but pledged cooperation with the ongoing investigation.

 

 

Source: Dayton Daily News