CHARDON, Ohio — Geauga County Juvenile and Probate Court Judge Timothy J. Grendell said he will appeal the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct's recommendation to suspend him from the practice of law, without pay, with six months stayed.
Grendell said he "will appeal the OBPC decision to the Ohio Supreme court with confidence of a better outcome" in a statement sent to News 5 on Oct. 8.
The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct issued its recommendation on Friday after finding Grendell "engaged in professional misconduct" in a case involving two teenage brothers in June 2020.
Grendell locked up Carson and Conner Glasier, then 15 and 13, for three nights at the Portage-Geauga County Juvenile Detention Center in June 2020 after they refused parental visitation with their estranged father.
Grendell wrote that he "placed two juveniles in temporary custody for being unruly" and said Ohio statute "specifically permitted such placement."
The board disagreed. It found Grendell's claim that detaining the boys was "in their best interest" was "patently facetious" and "contrary to law."
News 5 Investigators first shared the brothers' story and concerns about the judge's conduct in October 2020.
READ MORE: Two teenage brothers refused to see their dad. An Ohio judge locked them up.
The board also found Grendell engaged in misconduct during an ongoing dispute with Geauga County Auditor Chuck Walder and other county officials about his court's bills and expenses.
Additionally, the board determined Grendell violated Ohio's code of judicial conduct when he testified in support of legislation that was introduced by his wife, former Ohio Rep. Diane Grendell, in 2020, about Covid statistics.
The board's disciplinary recommendations will now go to the Ohio Supreme Court, which will decide what action to take against Grendell after hearing his appeal.
No hearing has been scheduled at this time.
Judge Grendell's response
Below is Judge Grendell's full statement:
"I respectfully disagree with the decision. Over four (4) years ago, I temporarily placed two juveniles in temporary custody for being unruly. The Ohio statute and governing 11th District Appellate Court’s rulings specifically permitted such placement. Then, I sent the case to Diversion per the Juvenile Rules. All of my decisions were based on recommendations of the Domestic Relations Court’s appointed mental health expert, that letting the boys terminate their relationship with their father would cause them permanent psychological harm. When the older boy turned 18, he moved out of his mother’s house and moved in with his dad. Unfortunately, he died in a motorcycle accident before the hearing. None of my decisions were appealed or reversed by the appellate court. No attorney for the parties accused me of bias or lack of impartiality and no one filed to have me disqualified while the case was pending.
Several years ago, I defended my staff from Auditor Walder’s ongoing false public accusations of criminal misconduct to preserve public confidence in the court. (Walder and a special prosecutor brought in by Prosecutor Flaiz still pursued baseless criminal charges against two of my staff that ultimately were thrown out by Judge Burt and a jury).
In 2020, I spoke to the Legislature about the problems that the State’s publicly providing less than full and accurate information about Covid was causing courts and the community. I had a right under the First Amendment and the Ohio Constitution to present these comments to the Ohio Legislature. As a judge and former legislator, I have been asked by various judicial organizations to testify before the Legislature on several other pending bills.
I have served my country with honor as a military attorney with two (2) meritorious service medals. I was reelected by the voters in Geauga County after these events occurred. I have volunteered countless hours of my personal time to help Geauga County residents save money by presenting the Good Deeds Program. I have continued to teach for the Ohio Supreme Court Judicial College the last four (4) years. My fellow judges have elected me an officer of the Ohio Probate Judges Association and a member of the National College of Probate Judges Executive Committee.
I will appeal the OBPC decision to the Ohio Supreme Court with confidence of a better outcome."
