On Monday, February 26, 2024, the Ohio Capital Journal reported that Geauga County Judge Timothy Grendell faced the second day of questioning in disciplinary hearings regarding several allegations against his conduct. The Ohio Disciplinary Counsel continued interrogating Grendell on matters from a child custody case to his disputes with county officials.
Joseph Caligiuri, representing the Disciplinary Counsel, further pressed Grendell on his decision in May 2021 to place two boys in juvenile detention after they refused a court-ordered visit with their father. When questioned about not holding an evidentiary hearing beforehand to determine the children’s best interests, Grendell insisted it was not necessary. In other instances, Caligiuri highlighted how Grendell appeared to threaten police officers and public officials in retaliatory outbursts following disagreements.
Specifically, Caligiuri argued that after the county auditor reported Grendell’s staffers for taking documents without permission, the judge threatened the responding police officer with contempt charges if any future interference with his staff occurred. Grendell also admitted to warning the police chief that impeding his employees could result in a 1983 civil rights lawsuit against the department. Caligiuri asserted these actions constituted threats, while Grendell maintained he did not intend them as such.
Caligiuri further questioned Grendell about public statements made without evidence. The judge had accused the county prosecutor of protecting the auditor from criminal charges and claimed without seeing it that a surveillance video of the auditor’s office incident was “doctored.” Grendell acknowledged to the Disciplinary Counsel that he had no proof for either allegation.
Additionally, Caligiuri challenged Grendell’s 2021 testimony before state lawmakers in support of legislation by his wife. The judge argued the health department inflated COVID-19 case numbers, but Caligiuri demonstrated daily figures were accessible and sometimes Grendell’s information was inaccurate. While Grendell maintained the constraints of his time did not allow for specifics, Caligiuri countered the judge faulted health officials for the same lack of specifics.
The second day of disciplinary hearings against Judge Grendell concluded with his responses to these various allegations and questioning by the Ohio Disciplinary Counsel.
Source: Ohio Capital Journal
