Judge's law license at stake

FREMONT — A Sandusky County judge's ability to continue practicing law is now in the hands of the state's disciplinary board. The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct, a branch of the Ohio Supreme Court who handles complaints against lawyers and judges, concluded disciplinary proceedings concerning alleged misconduct involving Sandusky County Common Pleas Court Judge Jon Ickes. The court's disciplinary counsel launched an investigation into Sandusky County Common Pleas Court Judge Jon Ickes in October 2024, and later cited him for the following violations: • Count 1: Harassment of a pregnant employee • Count 2: Fostering an inappropriate and unprofessional work environment • Count 3: Use of a racial slur • Count 4: Lewd and vulgar characterizations of a child-rape case • Count 5: Failure to disqualify • Count 6: Conduct that adversely reflects on the fitness to practice law At the close of proceedings in the case on May 30, the panel has yet to issue a final ruling on each count. However, at the hearing, the panel dismissed certain rule violation allegations relating to "professional misconduct" contained in counts 3, 4, 5 and 6. Allan Asbury, senior counsel for the Board of Professional Conduct, stated that all six counts were considered by the panel. Asbury said attorneys for the state's disciplinary counsel and attorneys representing Ickes have until July 16 to file post-hearing briefs to the panel. "There is no estimated time when the panel will reach its report and recommendation after briefs are filed," he said. What was alleged The investigation into Ickes began after numerous allegations of inappropriate workplace behavior were made against him and courthouse bailiff Candice Talbot in April 2024. Ickes paid for the Ohio-based law firm Clemans Nelson & Associates to investigate the claims. Following the investigation, Ickes later released two separate two-page reports: one covering the investigation into Talbot and the other for himself. According to the Clemans Nelson report, allegations against the judge include that he: • Made inappropriate comments regarding a pregnant woman's body, including comments about the "butt fairy" and made a similar remark about the woman's breasts; Talbot was also allegedly involved in the conversation and allegedly made inappropriate remarks relating to the woman's pregnancy. • Referred to a male human resources employee by a derogatory nickname • Described a county court case involving infant rape as the "baby (expletive) sucking case." Talbot also allegedly made the same remark. • Quoted a line from a movie that contained a racial slur, which allegedly happened in view of a defendant It is unclear what potential consequences Ickes could face if the board determines he is in violation, but the board will make a recommendation on potential punishment to the Supreme Court for an "appropriate sanction," according to the board's website.