Judge accused of using racial insults, vulgar words and ‘libtard label’ for employee offended by comments
Ethics
Judge is accused of using racial slur, vulgar terms and ‘libtard’ label for employee offended by his comments
October 30, 2024, 11:42 am CDT
An Ohio judge is facing an ethics complaint alleging that he created an inappropriate office environment, used a racial slur within earshot of a defendant, and referred to a child-rape case in “lewd and vulgar” terms. (Image from Shutterstock)
An Ohio judge is facing an ethics complaint alleging that he created an inappropriate office environment, used a racial slur within earshot of a defendant, and referred to a child-rape case in “lewd and vulgar” terms.
Judge Jon Marshal Ickes of the Sandusky County Common Pleas Court in Ohio is accused in an Oct. 28 ethics complaint.
The Legal Profession Blog summarizes the allegations by the Ohio Supreme Court’s Ohio Board of Professional Conduct.
The ethics complaint alleges that Ickes:
* Usually referred to Snapchat as “snatch chat” when telling jurors not to post about or research the case on social media. The ethics complaint states that “snatch” is a derogatory word for a woman’s vagina.
* Used the N-word in his office when quoting Blazing Saddles. Ickes was informed of the incident by a Black defendant who was outside and heard the N word. Ickes recused in the case, but did not explain the reason in the judgment entry. He refused to recuse in the case of a Black defendant who had been told about the incident. The defendant was accused by the prosecution of performing oral sex with an 18-month old child. Ickes texted video clips of a woman dancing with bananas and eating bananas to court employees during the trial. Ickes sentenced defendant to life without parole after jury found him guilty.
J.D. The T-shirt said, “I’m a d——————————————————————————————” and two others which read, “I am not always a d—————————————————————————.”
* Told J.D. to “man up and have some balls” in order to push through morning sickness According to J.D.’s written account of dialogue, J.D. objected when Ickes said, “Just wait until the titty fairies visit you.” He allegedly replied, “Well, then what can we discuss?” J.D. asked, “Can we talk about the titty fairy?” Later, J.D. received a phone call from Ickes’ wife who allegedly stated that the judge was concerned that he would no longer be able to joke with J.D. The judge referred to the county administrator’s human resources specialist as “pimple-d—” and told J.D. J.D. After J.D. J.D. joked that she didn’t want to be seen. Ickes then brought several bottles of lotion into the office and applied them to his legs. He later mentioned the lotion application to others and asked women whether their partners “moisturized.”
* Created titles and acronyms for probation staff members. “Adult supervision specialist” was “A.S.S.,” “Pretrial intensive supervision specialist” was “P.I.S.S.” After another probation officer reported illegal conduct of a former co-worker, he called her “Angel of Death.” He would often “shoot” his visitors with the Nerf guns. He grabbed his real firearm by mistake when he was aiming to “shoot the court administrator” with the Nerf. He laughed and said, “That wouldn’t have been good.” The ethics complaint accuses Ickes for violating rules that require judges act in a manner that promotes public trust in the judiciary. They also expect them to be patient and dignified. They also expect them to refrain from harassment and bias and to avoid conduct that would harm the administration of justice. He was also accused by the ethics complaint of violating a rule that prohibits lawyers from engaging in conduct that negatively reflects their fitness to practice. Ickes was appointed to court in 2020, and elected to a term that began on Jan. 1, 2021.
Ickes didn’t immediately respond to ABA Journal requests for comment that were left in a voicemail and emailed to a staff member. Lisa Marie Zaring also did not respond to the ABA Journal’s request for comment left in a voicemail or an email.
