| ► Toledo Blade – 05/31/01 – Prosecutor will probe possible double billing complaints dismissed against 9 visiting judges |
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Toledo Blade – May 31, 2001 – Prosecutor will probe possible double billing complaints dismissed against 9 visiting judges
Prosecutor will probe possible double billing complaints dismissed against 9 visiting judges
BY JAMES DREW
BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU
COLUMBUS-The Franklin County prosecutor's office has agreed to work with a judicial "watchdog" to determine if any visiting judges violated the law by double billing the state.
As a result, a judge yesterday dismissed all of the felony criminal complaints that David Palmer of Powell, Ohio, has filed against nine retired visiting judges, including four from northwest Ohio.
"I'll go over the documents and see if there is anything there or not," said David Buchman, an assistant Franklin County prosecutor. He said it was unclear how long it would take.
Mr. Palmer has accused nine retired visiting judges of either being overcompensated for their daily wages by being paid twice for the same workday or filing bogus expense reports for meals. All have denied wrongdoing, although some have reimbursed the state.
Chief Justice Thomas Moyer, who appoints visiting judges, told The Blade that guidelines are being developed by the high court to correct the problems.
Mr. Palmer said he intend to work with Mr. Buchman to review allegations against judges Stephen Yarbrough of Sylvania; Richard McQuade, Jr. of Swanton; June Rose Galvin of Marblehead, and Robert G. Wilson of Bryan.
Attorneys representing the judges said there is no criminal activity.
"I hope this is the end of this because it's a disgrace," said Craig Wright, a former Ohio Supreme Court justice who represents seven of the accused judges, include Ms. Galvin, Mr. McQuade, and Mr. Wilson.
The Blade reported May 27 that the state has paid Judge Yarbrough about $7,000 more than he was entitled to since 1998, either because of double billing or mistakes by the Supreme Court staff.
Mike Close, who is representing Judge Yarbrough, said there would have to be deception to trigger a theft-in-office charges, and he noted that Mr. Palmer based his allegations on public records.
"It's impossible for these people to get their honor back," Mr. Close said.
But Mr. Buchman said judges and the Supreme Court made mistakes.
"These are not totally straws pulled out of the air," he said.
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