A change of venue has been requested in the civil court workplace sexual harassment discrimination case against Sandusky County Common Pleas Court Judge Jon Ickes and his bailiff.
The request made April 3 has not been opposed by the plaintiff, who is the same woman who filed the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity discrimination complaint that was part of Ickes’ Ohio Board of Professional Conduct case. If approved, the change in venue will transfer the case to an adjoining county.
Reasons submitted for the change-in-venue request include that only two judges are available in the county; potential conflicts of interest for court staff; Jane Doe continues to work at the court, and the bailiff continues to work at the court.
Ickes’ change request also claims, “The Allegations of the Complaint are similar to allegations which produced an investigation into the professional conduct of Judge Ickes performed by the Ohio Supreme Court Board of Professional Conduct. Those allegations were the subject of substantial traditional and social media discussion ― much of it involving rumor, innuendo and speculation ― within Judge Ickes’ home jurisdiction of Sandusky County. That publicity also creates a danger that Defendants will be unable to obtain a fair trial unless venue is changed.”
Judge Jeremiah Ray has already recused himself from the case for reasons including that he could be called as a witness because he works in the same building.
Repeated attempts for comment from Ickes have been unsuccessful.
Jane Doe is seeking monetary relief in excess of $25,000 from each defendant for both emotional distress and other consequential damages, as well as punitive damages against each defendant in excess of $25,000, and attorney’s fees and other costs.
Contact Roger LaPointe at 419-332-2674.
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Ickes requests change of venue in civil discrimination case
Reporting by Roger LaPointe, Fremont News-Messenger / Fremont News-Messenger
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