On Friday, May 30, 2025, Cleveland.com reported that the attorney for Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Judge Leslie Ann Celebrezze recommended a public reprimand in response to misconduct allegations related to her handling of cases and her relationship with a court-appointed receiver.
The recommendation, filed by attorney Monica Sansalone with the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct, counters a harsher penalty proposed earlier in May by the state’s disciplinary counsel, Joseph Caligiuri, who suggested a one-year suspension, with six months waived if Celebrezze avoids further violations.
The allegations center on Celebrezze’s actions as administrative judge, particularly her assignment of divorce cases and her professional relationship with receiver Mark Dottore, whom she has known since childhood.
Caligiuri’s investigation highlighted that Dottore earned significant fees for his work as a receiver, a role involving the management of property and assets in complex divorce cases. The disciplinary counsel pointed to what he described as a “deeply emotional relationship” between Celebrezze and Dottore, raising concerns about the impartiality of her decisions.
In her filing, Sansalone acknowledged that Celebrezze did not fully disclose the nature of her connection to Dottore during the investigation. Celebrezze admitted to misrepresenting her true feelings, though Sansalone emphasized that stipulated facts confirm no sexual relationship existed between the judge and Dottore. Sansalone called speculation about their relationship in Caligiuri’s brief misleading and unfounded.
The case also involves procedural missteps by Celebrezze. In three instances, when other judges recused themselves from divorce cases, Celebrezze, as administrative judge, was required to randomly reassign the cases to other judges. Instead, she retained them for herself, believing she had the authority to do so. Sansalone stated that these actions were unintentional and lacked any financial or malicious intent, though they did not uphold the expected integrity of Celebrezze’s office.
Dottore, in an earlier interview, defended Celebrezze, stating she made errors while attempting to assist the court. He noted that his role as a receiver is unique, as few others are willing to handle the complexities of Domestic Relations Court cases. He also reiterated that their relationship was not sexual.
Celebrezze, who has served on the bench since 2009, faces potential consequences during her current term, which ends in January 2027. If suspended, she would be permitted to resume her duties afterward. The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct will review the filings and make a recommendation to the Ohio Supreme Court, which will issue the final decision.
In a related development, FBI agents issued a subpoena in February for records from Celebrezze’s office, seeking documents dating back to 2008, when she was elected. The subpoena specifically requested information on the appointments of Dottore and his business, Dottore Companies LLC, as receivers in divorce cases.
Source: Cleveland.com
