Braun ban extended

FREMONT — The Sandusky County prosecutor is banned from the courthouse after criminal convictions and also is banned from meeting alone with any county caseworkers with the Job & Family Services agency.The director sent a memo announcing the ban on Dec. 4, two days before he was convicted in a plea deal that ended a seven-month sex crimes investigation."Please be advised, all Children Services staff members, supervisors, aide staff, etc. are NOT permitted to enter a room with Prosecutor Braun alone. In the event you are asked into a room to speak alone, you are directed from this time forward to advise the prosecutor you are not permitted to do so per Director's orders," the memo from Sandusky County JFS director Melanie Allen states. "In addition, if Prosecutor Braun has questions about this directive given to the staff, I welcome you to have him call me immediately." READ MOREIt's unknown if there was a particular incident that led to the directive, but on Friday Braun was convicted of a misdemeanor negligent assault charge. Braun allegedly improperly touched female subordinates, made lewd comments to them, and in one alleged incident, showed a staff member child porn. Braun will remain prosecutor despite his conviction for up to 29 weeks as part of his plea agreement and stands to collect up to $77,000 between now and then even though he is banned from the courthouse office of prosecutor. A visiting judge assigned to the case by the Ohio Supreme Court, who heard no evidence or testimony in the criminal case, said his loss of stature was punishment enough for Braun."If at any time, you feel pressured or uncomfortable having private conversations where you feel awkward or uncomfortable by Prosecutor Braun, please report this at once," the memo states. It's unclear how Braun can perform any work duties as prosecutor being banned from his office, or whether his status as a convicted criminal will adversely impact pending criminal cases of other defendants.The Ohio Democratic Party also took aim at Republican Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost over the Braun investigation.Ohio Attorney General David Yost"After multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct and harassment, the Republican prosecutor in Sandusky County is being permitted to keep his job and its taxpayer-funded salary through (June) 2020," said Ohio Democratic Party spokesperson Kirstin Alvanitakis. "This situation begs the question why he is getting what appears to be a sweetheart deal, with no jail time.""Dave Yost refused to answer (the Sandusky Register's) questions about whether his office's investigation was handled properly and if the victims were given full consideration throughout the process. In October, Yost had called on the prosecutor to step down — but a few weeks later, the prosecutor is pleading guilty to a single misdemeanor and hanging on to his job. Why didn't Yost's office pursue criminal charges in this case? He hasn't answered that question either."Yost has refused to answer all questions about the Braun case, which was investigated by his office. He also has refused to address public concerns about how a local judge assigned a close associate and friend of Braun's to be deputy clerk of courts and keep records related to the case under seal. He has not responded to a written complaint from one local resident alleging the appointment of the special prosecutor in the case was unlawful, or speculation that the criminal case against Braun was "rigged."Gary Click, a candidate for the 88th House District of the Ohio Legislature, called for Braun to step down after Friday's court hearing. "This is a somber day in Sandusky County. I have not commented publicly until now because I believe that everyone deserves their day in court. This summer I told Mr. Braun that both he and his accusers deserved to have their voices heard. He seemed to favor the first part more then the later." Click praised Sandusky County Sheriff Chris Hilton for fighting for the victims. "I am very proud of Sheriff Hilton. He has been Godsend to our community."Hilton and Yost both called for Braun to resign in October after learning that a plea deal was in the works. Click called on Braun to resign after Friday's court hearing. Protestors gather outside the Sandusky County courthouse in Fremont before County Prosecutor Tim Braun's plea hearing on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019.Defendant Tim Braun was convicted in Sandusky County Common Pleas Court on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. This is a photo of Sandusky County Prosecutor Tim Braun provided to the Register by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation o Dec. 6, 2019. The caption with it is "Braun with files at courthouse."