Salem’s Lot

Unlike Nevada, it appears that solicitation for prostitution may be a discipline issue for Ohio lawyers.

The Cleveland [Ohio] Metropolitan Bar Association  has filed a complaint alleging misconduct in a no contest plea for misdemeanor engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools.

Respondent is alleged to have opened unsolicited junk emails for “hookups” with women. He searched the internet regarding the legitimacy of escort services and sent text messages to an individual regarding a proposed encounter for $180. 

He traveled to Salem, Ohio for the anticipated hookup. 

The individual was an undercover law enforcement officer.

Although Respondent’s arrest did not involve clients, it involved what he thought was a prostitute, which is a vulnerable person all the same.

His jail sentence was suspended. 

He was required to complete an “online prostitution prevention course.” 

Fox 8 reported on the arrest

A real estate title attorney and former part-time acting judge from Mentor was arrested during an undercover sex sting in Columbiana County.

Jeffrey McGaffick, 62, of Mentor, is now facing charges of engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools, according to a Thursday news release from Attorney General Dave Yost’s office.

McGaffrick’s Cleveland-area practice includes real estate title work, according to the release. He said he also has served as a part-time acting judge on the Mentor Municipal Court bench.

Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene, whose office operates the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, announced the arrest on Thursday. The task force was assisted by Salem city police officers, according to the release.

McGaffrick is the second local attorney to be arrested by that task force this year, according to the release. A February 2024 sex sting picked up a 72-year-old private defense lawyer from Macedonia.

Kenneth Martin was charged in the county’s municipal court with first-degree misdemeanor counts of engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools, to which he pleaded not guilty. He was released on a $2,500 personal recognizance bond, court records show. He’s due back in court on May 13.

I did not see any mention of exactly what the “criminal tools” were. (Mike Frisch)