The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct today announced the certification of 13 new cases for formal disciplinary proceedings.

Each certified complaint has been sent to the respondent, and the respondent has been directed to file an answer to the allegations contained in the complaint. Once an answer is received, the case will be assigned to a three-member hearing panel of the Board, and the hearing panel will conduct further proceedings. If the respondent does not answer the allegations, the respondent’s failure to answer will be certified to the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court may suspend the respondent’s license to practice law.

Typically, a public hearing is scheduled within four to six months after the case is assigned to a hearing panel. Consult the hearing schedule on the Board’s website for a monthly list of Board hearings.

If the Board finds that a lawyer or judge has engaged in professional misconduct, the Board will file a report with the Supreme Court that includes a recommended sanction. The Supreme Court is responsible for reviewing the Board report and case record, and imposing discipline.

The following cases were certified for formal disciplinary proceedings. To access the complaints in this case, click on the case number below.

Columbus Bar Association v. William Martin Midian
Case No. 2017-044
Respondent’s counsel: Michael L. Close, Columbus

Disciplinary Counsel v. Robert James Leon
Case No. 2017-045
Respondent’s counsel: Jason H. Beehler, Columbus

Disciplinary Counsel v. Brendan Edward Delay
Case No. 2017-046
Respondent’s counsel: None

Disciplinary Counsel v. Timothy Andrew Shimko
Case No. 2017-047
Respondent’s counsel: Richard C. Alkire, Independence

Disciplinary Counsel v. Rasheed Asani Simmonds
Case No. 2017-048
Respondent’s counsel: None

Disciplinary Counsel v. Charles Francis Wochna
Case No. 2017-049
Respondent’s counsel: Jerome A. Milano, Rocky River

Disciplinary Counsel v. Michael Joseph Cheselka, Jr.
Case No. 2017-050
Respondent’s counsel: Richard C. Alkire, Independence and Robert V. Housel, Jr., Cleveland

In re Judicial Campaign Complaint against W. Mona Scott
Case No. 2017-051
Respondent’s Counsel: Alvin E. Mathews, Jr., Columbus

In re Judicial Campaign Complaint against James Emmitt Sherron
Case No. 2017-052
Respondent’s Counsel: Dustin R. Hurley, Middletown

Toledo Bar Association v. Brandon McLain Rehkopf
Case No. 2017-053
Respondent’s counsel: Monica A. Sansalone and Kevin R. Marchaza, Cleveland

Disciplinary Counsel v. Thomas Daniel Pigott
Case No. 2017-054
Respondent’s Counsel:

Disciplinary Counsel v. Christi Lee Brown
Case No. 2017-055
Respondent’s Counsel: None

Disciplinary Counsel v. Thomas Locke Mason
Case No. 2017-056
Respondent’s Counsel: Robert P. DeSanto, Ashland