UPDATE: The Ohio Supreme Court’s disciplinary counsel has just accused outgoing Cleveland Housing Court Judge W. Moná Scott of serious judicial misconduct. The complaint, filed on December 22, 2023, charges Scott with abusing her authority by pressuring prosecutors to aggressively pursue landlords while neglecting to follow numerous higher court orders regarding eviction cases.
Scott, who lost her re-election bid to attorney Cheryl Wiltshire by 705 votes out of more than 38,000 votes cast, is under scrutiny for allegedly abandoning judicial neutrality and failing to adhere to legal standards. Disciplinary Counsel Joseph Caligiuri leads the complaint, highlighting that Scott has hindered progress in eviction cases, causing significant delays and legal expenses for landlords.
The complaint outlines several alarming actions taken by Scott. She reportedly threatened the city’s Law Director, Mark Griffin, with a judicial order if his office did not prosecute landlords on her docket. In an email from October 2024, Scott expressed concern over the city’s trend of plea agreements with defendants, asserting, “The City believes they have the sole authority…not to continue pursuing prosecution. I’m here to inform you that this belief is not valid and is unfounded in law.”
Scott’s alleged misconduct extends to her refusal to dismiss cases, except for insufficient evidence, and her insistence on requiring prosecutors to subpoena all witnesses. In a shocking revelation, an email from August 2024 indicated that Scott suggested pursuing actions against a property owner individually, further showcasing her aggressive stance against landlords.
Moreover, the complaint states that Scott ignored multiple orders from the Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals, delaying decisions on eviction cases that were previously overturned due to her dismissals. These actions have reportedly caused landlords to incur unnecessary legal fees and lost property usage.
The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct is now conducting an investigation into these claims. If misconduct is confirmed, the board will present its findings to the Ohio Supreme Court, which holds the power to impose penalties ranging from public reprimands to revoking Scott’s law license altogether.
Scott is scheduled to leave office on Thursday, December 28, 2023. Having served as a housing court judge since 2019, she previously worked as a fair housing administrator and assistant prosecutor in Cuyahoga County. Her tenure has now been overshadowed by these serious allegations, igniting discussions about judicial accountability and the impact of judicial bias on housing issues.
As this story develops, all eyes are on the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct and the potential repercussions for Scott. The ramifications of this case could have lasting effects on housing law enforcement and landlord-tenant relations in Cleveland. Stay tuned for updates on this urgent matter.
