On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 21 WFMJ reported that former Struthers Municipal Court Judge Dominic Leone III is facing a disciplinary hearing before the Ohio Supreme Court’s Board of Professional Conduct. The hearing, addressing allegations of judicial and professional misconduct related to two civil protection orders, is scheduled for May 29 and 30, with a possible extension to June 12.

The Ohio Disciplinary Counsel filed a complaint against Leone, who resigned from his judicial position in September 2023. The complaint details two main allegations of misconduct. The first involves a civil stalking protection order filed by Struthers Mayor Catherine Miller on May 4, 2023. Miller alleged that Leone harassed her at a polling location on May 2, 2023, through verbal abuse and threatening behavior. She claimed this incident was part of a pattern of harassment starting in January 2023, which caused her significant distress and led her to seek mental health support.

Witnesses, including Leone’s bailiff and the Struthers Municipal Court Clerk, supported Miller’s account, reporting that Leone displayed irate behavior and outbursts toward the mayor. Struthers Police Chief Tim Roddy expressed concerns for Miller’s safety, prompting increased security measures.

A Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas judge issued an emergency civil stalking protection order on May 4, 2023, which was upheld after a full hearing on May 18, 2023. The order, effective until May 4, 2025, requires Leone to stay at least 500 feet from Miller, except for official court business. Leone’s appeal of the order was denied by the Seventh District Court of Appeals on March 21, 2024. The Disciplinary Counsel noted that Leone failed to report this appellate decision despite their request.

The second allegation stems from a domestic violence protection order filed against Leone on May 7, 2024, by a relative who accused him of making threats. During a May 21, 2024, hearing, where Leone was expected to consent to the order, he presented lengthy arguments deemed irrelevant by the court, spanning 69 pages of transcript. These arguments focused on grievances against the relative and her family.

Judge Joseph Giulitto and Leone’s attorney, Christopher Lacich, repeatedly redirected him, with the judge warning Leone about his abusive conduct and ordering continued counseling. Lacich also remarked that Leone appeared unstable. Leone later filed a motion to modify or terminate the order but did not attend subsequent hearings. The domestic violence protection order was granted on August 15, 2024.

In his self-represented appeal of the domestic violence order, Leone referred to Judge Giulitto as “the catholic Judge” and made accusations of religious bias, which the appellate court stated it lacked authority to address. On March 6, 2025, the Seventh District Court of Appeals upheld the order, noting Leone’s lack of respect for the court’s authority and his evident lack of self-control during the May 21 hearing.

Leone, in his May 1 response to the complaint, admitted to certain facts, such as the issuance of the protection orders and his resignation, but denied allegations regarding his behavior at the polling site, the harassment pattern, and statements made during the domestic violence hearing and appeal. He also alleged malpractice by his attorney in the domestic violence case.

The hearing, set to occur at the Moyer Judicial Center in Columbus, will be conducted before a three-member panel to determine the outcome of the misconduct allegations.

 

 

Source: 21 WFMJ