Common Pleas Judge Reinstated To Practice After Felony Conviction

The Ohio Supreme Court has reinstated an attorney suspended as a result of a felony conviction.

The Morning Journal reported on the charges

Lorain County Common Pleas Judge James Burge was indicted Sept. 24 by a grand jury from Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office.

Burge, 67, is facing three counts of falsification, three counts of tampering with records, three counts of soliciting improper compensation and three counts of having an unlawful interest in a public contract…

According to the indictment, on Jan. 24, 2012, Burge allegedly made a false statement or “knowingly swear or affirm the truth of a false statement previously made, when the statement was in writing on or in connection with a report or return that is required or authorized by law.”

The indictment states that Burge allegedly tampered with records Jan. 24, 2012, of a 2011 Ohio Financial Disclosure Statement “and the writing, data, computer software or record was kept by or belonged to a local, state or federal government entity.”

It further alleges that Burge tampered with a 2010 Ohio Financial Disclosure Statement and a 2012 disclosure statement.

He allegedly solicited improper compensation from Feb. 1, 2011, to June 7, 2011, while serving as a public official by knowingly soliciting or accepting contributions, according to the indictment. 

The indictment also charges Burge with having an unlawful interest in a public contract. The indictment stated that Burge did “knowingly authorize or employ the authority or influence of his office to secure authorization of any public contract in which he, a member of his family, or any of his business associates had an interest.”

Six of the charges are felonies.

The Chronicle- Telegram reported on his conviction by jury and efforts to regain his law license.

The court’s order did not explain its reasoning for the reinstatement.

See comment below: conviction on which suspension was based has been vacated. (Mike Frisch)