| ► Judge Judith Cross of Akron, OH; moron or ethical gimp? |
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Judge Judith Cross of Akron, OH; moron or ethical gimp?
On May 10, 2001, Akron Beacon Journal reporters, Dennis J. Willard and Doug Oplinger authored a front-page story titled: “Billing storm embroils judges.” (http://tinyurl.com/varyhre)
 
This story dealt with felony theft-in-office complaints filed by the Watchdawg against several judges for billing for two days’ pay on the same day.
The Beacon Journal reported that on March 8, 2000, Judge Judith Cross submitted a bill for two days’ pay - $402 for Lorain County and $402 for Huron County to the Ohio Supreme Court.
Judge Cross also billed and collected two days’ pay ($803.89) by billing Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) and Ashland County on June 28, 2000.
Judge Judith Cross told the Beacon Journal that she wondered whether billing for two counties on the same day was appropriate, but the Supreme Court paid the bills. Give me a break! She wondered if billing for 16-hours of work on one day was appropriate!
Now folks, ya gotta be one big time moron to actually believe that you’re lawfully entitled to two days’ pay for working eight hours or less on the same day. The overburdened taxpayers of Ohio can consider themselves quite lucky. Had Judge Judith Cross allegedly performed judicial services on cases involving five (5) counties on the same day, she would have collected $2,010 for one days’ work.
I wonder what Judge Judith Cross' reaction would be if her landscaper billed her twice for the same services on the same day?
Knowing Dennis Willard and Doug Oplinger, I’ve got to imagine that they had a good laugh when Judge Judith Cross spewed forth this laughable defense. Seems that Judge Cross missed her calling as a standup comedian, right?
Due to the generous (historical) compensation policies of the Beacon Journal, I’m confident that if Dennis Willard or Doug Oplinger were assigned to do a huge story and billed for working in multiple counties on the same day, the Beacon Journal would have compensated them accordingly.
Dennis Willard is the statehouse reporter for the Beacon Journal and works out of its Columbus (Franklin County) office. Doug Oplinger works out of the main office in Akron (Summit County).
Dennis Willard
Doug Oplinger
Now I more fully appreciate how Dennis Willard can afford to live in a 4,500 square foot edifice in “The Retreat” in Powell, Ohio. I’ll forgo mentioning the luxury digs that Doug Oplinger is able to afford due to the magnanimous compensation policies of the Akron Beacon Journal.
As to Doug and Dennis' choice of vehicles, suffice it to say that they prefer imports. |
